Heather Smith Small Businesshttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com
XERO Training | Xero Set-Up | Xero Migration | Xero SupportFri, 02 Dec 2016 21:57:30 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.6.1http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/cropped-HeatherSmithgrey-32x32.jpgHeather Smith Small Businesshttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com
3232Xerocon 2016 and it’s impact on my business journeyhttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/10/05/xerocon-2016-impact-business-journey/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/10/05/xerocon-2016-impact-business-journey/#respondWed, 05 Oct 2016 00:46:24 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=6857On Thursday 6th October there’s a panel discussion on the Lessons Learnt at Xerocon featuring Tracey Newman, Cassandra Scott and Justin Campbell. It will be held at Brisbane’s River City Labs RSVP here: MasterMind MeetUp Whether by design, by the sheer size, by the learning, by the networks or the connections and the community Xerocon has always been a significant landmark occasion for my business journey. My accountability group have repeatedly asked me what impact Xerocon South 2016 will have on my business, so I shall take the opportunity to explore it here…. Xerocon South was a different to the other Xerocons: For the first time it was being held in my beautiful glorious hometown of Brisbane For the first time it represented the whole of the Southern Hemisphere For the initiated Xerocon is not just a to 2 day conference; it’s a week of activities, events and celebrations that happen around the conference. As soon as the location and the dates were announced I looked at the calendar to assess where the MasterMind meetup I’d been organising for over a year now would fall. Coincidently it fell on the Thursday, the first day of the main conference. I quickly arranged to reschedule the meetup to the Tuesday and within a few hours had asked the CEO and founder of Xero Rod Drury if he would be available to talk at the meetup. I connected and started working closely with the Xero API team Steve Cooper and Bec Martin and we collaborated to create a unique and informative event, heralding the start of the Xerocon celebrations. A number of (jetlagged) international partners gathered to present on the Tuesday evening. It was a great opportunity to meet and talk with and hear from new partners while catching up with colleagues, in an intimate setting. The highlight for me was that Rod Drury graciously attended the meetup. He literally flew in – like a number of other attendees on the night. We were told he had a prepared speech. He arrived and excitement and whispers filled the air. When it came time for Mr Drury to give his speech he moseyed on up to the front of the room, amiably greeting several seated guests. He arrived at the front, positioned himself, looked out to the audience and said “So, What do you want to know?” Ladies and gentlemen – when do you get an opportunity like that? It was a surreal out of body once in a lifetime moment. So many people have contacted me about it, after the event As Alex Cruice said, “I really enjoyed hearing Rod speak. It was impressive to see such an expert CEO in action in an unplanned situation. He fielded questions in various areas: business, technical, architecture, etc. without breaking stride.” So if you plan to go to Xerocon or any big conference for that matter, always arrive a week early and scan for the peripheral amazeball events. So a few more awesome parties were attended in the lead up to Xerocon; Spotlight, Expensify, TimeSheets and Practice Ignition hosted a spectacular party on the beach front at SouthBank. I found myself next to Andrew Whitelaw rocking to the longest ever Deep Purple song. Like ever. I think I asked Andrew three times, is this still the same song? You can imagine the nodding grin he replied with. The funniest memory of the peripheral events I shall treasure was Mel Morris leading what ended up being a huge walking bus from the Brisbane Convention Centre to the Receipt Bank party, across traffic, and up four flights of stairs. We must have brought 60 people into the Receipt Bank party – thanks to the gorgeous Sophie Hossack and her orange tribe for welcoming us. So let’s talk about Xerocon. It was huge. I arrived with a spare coffee – someone working at a conference is always happy to receive a fresh made coffee and the lucky recipient was Rob Stone. I’m not sure if it was by chance or by design he was in the foyer and greeted me as we arrived. We talked about developing content and the new words that have arisen in the tech space – like geosensing. He emphasized that I should experience the virtual reality room – and Rob you will be please to know I took the time to try out virtual reality and can see it has interesting possibilities beyond gaming, the customer gets a 3D concept of goods, and the retailer does not need to invest in stock. So walking into Xerocon…. there were so many people. I kind of saw people in the distance I wanted to catch up with but there was so much happening everywhere. I tried to get around all of the marketplace partners but I did not manage too. By the end I was walking up to the booths and thrusting my badge at them to get scanned so I could get emails from them. But I still didn’t even manage to achieve getting around all of them. There was so much. It was quite overwhelming. Prior to arriving I studied the sessions carefully and had selected what I want to go to. I made a point of specifically asking Steven Leaney (we met during that epic Deep Purple song) what sessions he planned to go to. I find that his thinking is years ahead of mine when it comes to the possibility of technology advances. For me personally I can see beyond the fluff. I can see what businesses can practically adopt right now to impact their business processes and improve the accuracy and insight around the data. Stephen Leaney is standing on the same technology mountain with a set of binoculars firmly faced forward. Do yourself a favour and go back and read everything he’s written in the past two years. However don’t bother asking what sessions he plans to go to – because disappointingly he had no plans and his grand […]

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/10/05/xerocon-2016-impact-business-journey/feed/0Xero and Franchiseshttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/10/04/xero-and-franchises/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/10/04/xero-and-franchises/#respondMon, 03 Oct 2016 18:41:49 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=6844Xero is the ideal solution for proactive innovative franchise operators. Utilising the same system, you can easily move between different businesses, and take advantage of real time data. Once you’ve decided to move to Xero, and before the implementation, I suggest you determine a standard method for setting up all files, from the chart of accounts through to tracking and the home dashboard, and integrations that will be used by all franchise operators. Read here: How to project manage a mass conversion of MYOB files to Xero. This makes it so much easier to compare data across different franchises, and actively support the businesses. Install Xero, and then the head franchise operator can use a solution like Spotlight Multi to compare the operations of all the businesses. As well as being able to collaborate with franchisees in real time via Xero, you’re in a position to provide them comparative information supporting them to make decisions in their business.

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/10/04/xero-and-franchises/feed/0The story behind writing Xero for Dummieshttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/10/04/the-story-behind-the-writing-of-xero-for-dummies/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/10/04/the-story-behind-the-writing-of-xero-for-dummies/#respondMon, 03 Oct 2016 18:20:20 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=6834The story behind writing Xero for Dummies I’ve been a writer since I could put pen to paper, and I love to write about everything small business. I’ve written Learn MYOB in 7 Days (yes I’m a MYOB Certified Consultant), and Learn Small Business Start-Up in 7 Days (a brilliant book which I’m really proud of!). Then on 30th May I was contacted by Rod Drury CEO and co-founder of Xero I took a proposal to my publishers and here we are a year later, with a yellow, black and CYAN Dummies guide to Xero. Here we are on iTunes: Here we are on Amazon: Google tells me that a WHALE has a gestation period of around 365 days which is about how long it took from Rod contacting me to the arrival of the physical book…in fact it took about 4 months for me to write…but there are a lot of hoops to jump through to get a book approved, edited, published and distributed. In fact Mamma WHALE has produced quadruplets!! There are another 3 Xero for Dummies titles launched, in the Dummies In A Day series. I’ve also been asked if I work for Xero. No, I don’t work for Xero. I’m an independent Xero Certified Advisor. I think it is important for everyone involved, especially you the user, that I was totally independent. I hope you agree…however saying that, Xero have been incredibly supportive and have technically checked every corner of the book! If you would like to hear more about the writing process you can listen to this interview I did with Tim Reid on the Small Business Big Marketing podcast and Pete Williams on the Preneurcast show. I hope you find them entertaining interviews. I have received some lovely feedback about them. Extract from Author’s Acknowledgements from Xero for Dummies Many thanks to Xero who have kindly endorsed the book. Xero staff around the world have answered queries into the wee hours of the morning, and the elite Xero training team have technically checked the book. So thanks to the extraordinary staff and partners of Xero — from Sue Pak, Tim Wright, Gayle Abou Maroun, Colleen Diver, my magnanimous account manager Jason Forbes, the ORANGILICIOUS Catherine, and Xero consultants Cassandra Scott, Melanie Morris, Gillian Rossouw, to everyone else in-between, and especially those who provided the technical check of the material and responded to my pesky night-time queries! Thanks to Rick Van Dyk and Matthew Addison and the team at the ICB Australia. Thanks to my writing mentor and friend Valerie Khoo and her Australian Writers’ Centre community — in particular, Alistair McKillop, who challenge and believe in my writing. In the book you’ll learn: How to do your accounting online anywhere, any time. Reduce data entry utilising bank feeds and seamless integrations with add-on solutions. Use dash boards to track your business performance in real-time Create and send invoices via your mobile devices You can buy Xero for Dummies from all good bookstores – you should find it one the book shelves with all the other yellow and black books. Or you can by it on-line here. I guess it all depends on how you learn; If you’re the type of person who likes to read and work through detailed precise steps, then you’ll love this book, and hopefully it will find a nice place on your business book shelf for it. I’ve written Xero for Dummies, a comprehensive guide to using the game changing online accounting system Xero. I’ve written this book, like I’m sitting with you working you through every question you may have about Xero. An elderly client surprised me the other day – she had already bought the e-book and told me she much prefers to have books on her iPad so she can take them with her where-ever she is. She made me feel like such a Luddite – I would never have thought of that – but buy it in whatever format works for you! Hopefully now you are feeling compelled to buy a copy of the book, your business will love you and so will my mortgage 🙂 Heather Smith

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/10/04/the-story-behind-the-writing-of-xero-for-dummies/feed/0Presentation topicshttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/10/02/presentation-topics/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/10/02/presentation-topics/#respondSun, 02 Oct 2016 06:31:31 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=6815I curate and deliver key information to you in digestible format. Insights gained from my client work, are woven into my writing and presentations, so they are brimming with lots of realistic, practical advice. Consider booking me to speak at your next business function, and let the stories come to life. I take great pride in providing professional training sessions that cater to all levels and abilities. My talks are brimming with useful information, stories and practical tips. Through consulting, training and interviewing I’ve had the privilege of working with thousands of business owners assisting them in implementing systems profitable productive systems. From this vantage I’ve gained insights into the inner workings of small businesses. Here are details of various presentations topics I can speak to your group about: Xero Accounting for Accountants Presentations for accounting firms interested in understanding Xero and how it can benefit their clients and their business. With a solid understanding of Xero, MYOB and small business accounting, I’m in an excellent position to explain Xero accounting solutions from all perspectives. This is not a sales presentation. This is a comprehensive honest independent introduction to Xero online accounting solution and an opportunity to answer any questions you may have about Xero. Xero Bookkeeping for Bookkeepers Presentations for bookkeeping firms interested in understanding Xero and how it can benefit their clients and their business. With a solid understanding of Xero, MYOB and small business accounting, I’m in an excellent position to explain Xero bookkeeping solutions from all perspectives. This is not a sales presentation. This is a comprehensive honest independent introduction to Xero online bookkeeping solution and an opportunity to answer any questions you may have about Xero. Introduction to the cloud What is the cloud What are the benefits of working in the cloud What are the concerns of working in the cloud An explanation of how bank feeds work Q&A The purpose of this introductory session is to explain what is meant by the phrase ‘working in the clouds’. The session undertakes a comprehensive run through of all the benefits and concerns of working in the cloud. My aim is to cover all the questions you have about cloud technology. This will be run at a very introductory level. No prior knowledge is assumed. Introduction to cloud based accounting Introduction to the dashboard of Xero Overview of the key features in the accounting solutions Invoicing Inventory BAS Payroll Reporting Introduction to Application Programming Interface and how it benefits business processes Support available for XERO end user and/or the partner Pricing for XERO Q&A The purpose of this session is to introduce you to cloud based accounting solutions; XERO. I look at the dashboards and then run through key features of Xero. I review the support offered; the partners’ programmes and explain the pricing of the solution. This is run at an introductory level. No prior knowledge is assumed. Introduction to Xero Discover Xero the innovative timesaving online accounting solution. Recognise the benefits of accessing to real time Xero business data on the run. Learn how Xero minimises the need for data entry, through the adoption of cutting edge technology like bank feeds, memorising transactions, intelligent field typing, single ledger. Understand how Xero streamlines repetitive business process through the adoption of add-on technology. Marvel at how Xero is constantly evolving, and upgrades happen online – minimising disruption. Make informed decisions faster Xero is an online accounting solution suited to micro and small businesses. Comprehensive introductory and interactive session to Xero; I work through the preparation of a BAS and then look at the various management reports available. I examine how useful and interactive the reports are, and work through some customised scenarios. I talk about how reports can be used to help the business owners understand and run their business. This session, aims to give you an overview of what Xero is and a demonstration of what Xero can do for you. If you’re in a small business, come along to learn how Xero and cloud technology, can minimise the administrative burden and repetitive tasks in your business. Topics covered include: Chart of Accounts Tax Codes Live demo of XERO Create a Customer Create a Supplier Create an employee Create an inventory item Typical daily processing; including invoicing, entering bills, and bank reconciliation Create a simple payroll and process it BAS preparation; including reconciling clearing accounts, checking exception reports Looking at Management Reports available Look at inventory reports Article Marketing: Publishing with impact Article marketing can be an effective means of demonstrating your expertise in a particular area by writing about it. From choosing an eye-catching headline, structuring a short captivating article, through to software tools to help you craft your article Heather Smith works you through the steps to create your own article, and pitch it publishers. Gain insights into writing your own business book. Discover how you can integrate social media into the writing and promotional process. Learn about writing for the “For Dummies” brand. Work through examples of clear concise technical writing Heather Smith has written 6 business books including the international bestselling Xero for Dummies series. In this session Heather will share with you techniques to assist you in the process of writing you own business book, and using it to build your profile.

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/10/02/presentation-topics/feed/0How to project manage a mass conversion of MYOB files to Xerohttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/09/26/how-to-project-manage-a-mass-conversion-of-myob-files-to-xero/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/09/26/how-to-project-manage-a-mass-conversion-of-myob-files-to-xero/#commentsSun, 25 Sep 2016 22:00:53 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=6763How to project manage a mass conversion of MYOB files to Xero I was recently tasked with the opportunity to convert 55 MYOB files to Xero. This was a large number of files to move across to Xero and prior planning, batch processing, task allocation, training and an amazing team of support from the client, Xero and JetConvert ensured the project ran smoothly. Here’s an overview of how the project ran, and tips and tricks I picked up along the way. Whether you’re a business owner thinking of converting to Xero, a Xero Partner looking to do your first conversion, or a Xero Partner planning to your own mass conversion – you’re sure to pick up something that will help you in your own preparations. If you’ve been through a few conversions already – let me know if you think there’s anything I’ve missed. This is a long article and to split it up there are a few hyperlinks, which if you click through on, I go into further detail on that specific topic – so don’t overlook them. If you’d like help with your own conversion – please contact me here. If you think this article has been useful – please share. Grab a cuppa and buckle in… Start off with a summary spreadsheet To keep track of the progress of each file during the conversion create an excel spreadsheet. Details on the spreadsheet at a minimum should include: MYOB file name MYOB zip file name JetConvert ID # – provided by JC Conversion Status Bank account details Credit Card details This document can be edited to simply include bank feed application details and submitted as a summary document with the bank feeds applications. Review your chart of accounts If we have 55 organisations under a single banner its desirable that a similar format for the chart of accounts is used across all organisations, to aid in comparisons and data analysis. When it comes to designing a Chart of Accounts I think you should start with a whiteboard and add to it what you really want, what information you would like to get out of the business that can help you drive the business in the direction you want it to go. Read here about the differences between MYOB and Xero in terms of the chart of accounts structure. The chart of accounts can be updated in Xero so designing it does not stop the conversion project progressing, but I believe it is good to be thinking about this from the very start. Using a conversion service I know how to manually convert an MYOB file to Xero, and doing it that way does let you start with a clean slate especially if the business has reinvented itself a number of times, and wants to start afresh. But with 55 MYOB files needing to move through this process, it is not something we could realistically consider. Fortunately there are a number of conversion services available to move accounting solutions to other accounting solutions I use JetConvert to assist me with conversion processes. Read here how to prepare the MYOB files for conversion to Xero using Jet Convert. Activating the bank feeds Any delay in activating bank feeds has a knock on effect in getting Xero up and running. If I’m converting you to Xero, I want you to experience the full benefits as soon as possible. To do this I need to get the bank authorisation sorted out, and the authorisation part of this process relies heavily on the client To understand how Xero’s bank feeds work read here. I encourage you to start this process as possible. Ahead of time, I alerted Xero Support and my account manager Andrew Hirst of my plans to undertake a significantly large conversion of MYOB files to Xero. Xero support advised me that I could prepare all the bank feed application forms, and submit them up to ten days before the conversion. We did this, but I think this caused a bit of preliminary confusion. But after some interactions with support Andy from Xero support UK committed himself to the project. He created a spreadsheet summary of all bank feed applications we’d submitted and provided regular updates during the conversion. Some matters we needed to unravel along the way included ensuring that the bank account numbers entered in Xero exactly matched what was in the Xero organisation. Sometimes banks have two completely different divisions, for example NAB has Internet Banking and NAB Connect, and the application process seems to be different for both of them. So you think you’re applying for just a NAB bank feed, but you have to choose the right one. We also found CBA changed the way they accepted bank feed applications midway through the process, and we had to snail mail an application to them, which slowed the process. Any issue with the bank feeds was given highest priority attention during the project. Sorting something out quickly could ensure the process kept working behind the scenes. With hindsight, I’d encourage the creation of an individual scanned bank feed application forms for every bank. The application pdf should be saved with a recognisable name, like: BankAcronym_FileName_AccountNumber. I’d also prepare a summary spreadsheet of the bank feed forms that were being sent to Xero (use an extract from the spreadsheet mentioned at the start), send everything together, and ensure it finds its way to a super support hero like Andy in the UK. In summary: Alert Xero support you shall be submitting a large number of applications ahead of time Individually scan bank feed application forms Save each scanned pdf with a recognisable name Create a spreadsheet summary of all application forms to be submitted Submit everything together. Find a superhero at Xero support to liaise with, and follow them on a regular basis. You’re jugging a lot of bank feed activations, and with planning, preparation and attention to detail, this can be smoothly transitioned to active bank feeds […]

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/09/26/how-to-project-manage-a-mass-conversion-of-myob-files-to-xero/feed/5Understanding bank feedshttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/09/25/understanding-bank-feeds/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/09/25/understanding-bank-feeds/#commentsSat, 24 Sep 2016 20:01:30 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=6752One of the initial time saving benefits you’ll experience with Xero is bank transactions feeding into Xero via a bank feed. Hamish Edwards’ one of the original founders of Xero describes bank feeds as ‘the secret sauce of online accounting solutions’. Bank feeds work by linking the business’s bank, credit card and PayPal accounts to Xero. Transactions that happen within these accounts feed into Xero either live or batched overnight depending on the financial institution. Once the transaction has arrived in your software it needs to be coded. However once a transaction has been coded once, frequently you’ll find future similar entries recognise the coding rules and you’ll just need to confirm the suggested transaction. For example once you have allocated an account and tax code to a bank charge transaction all future bank charges with the same description will automagically suggest to be coded the same way. Of course if necessary the auto-suggested coding can be overridden. To experience the benefit of transactions automatically pushing into Xero, it’s necessary to set up the bank feeds. There are thousands of bank feeds with numerous ways of activating them – technically they fall into two different types Direct feeds and Yodlee feeds. The activation methods is evolving and improving rapidly so I can’t give you a definitive method of how to do this. Some can be activated online (Yodlee), some require you to fill out a form and email it in and can you believe it – some need to be snail mailed them in! (Direct Feeds) To activate bank feeds initially identify what bank accounts you’d like an active bank feed for in Xero. Note: Credit card feeds are set up online once the file is activated. You can check here what bank feeds work with Xero. A bank form for every bank account for every organisation needs to be completed and authorised. This involves: Accessing and printing bank forms Filling out the bank form information Getting the relevant people to sign forms – which sounds simple but in reality this is typically the major hurdle in this process as the authoriser seems to be on a jet plane and not available to sign! Scan the forms. I prefer to see each individual forms scanned, and distinctly named, something like: BankAcronym_FileName_AccountNumber. This makes it easier to see what has submitted and follow up where necessary – see step 6. Submit forms. (If we’re working together copy me in on this email) Following up with Xero bank feed support to ensure they’ve received the documentation and everything is in order. Any delay in this step has a knock on effect in getting Xero up and running. If I’m converting you to Xero, I want you to experience the full benefits as soon as possible. To do this I need to get the bank authorisation sorted out, and the authorisation part of this process relies heavily on the client So if you are moving to Xero I encourage you to do this as soon as possible.

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/09/25/understanding-bank-feeds/feed/1Preparation of the MYOB files for conversion to Xero by Jet Converthttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/09/23/preparation-myob-files-conversion-xero-jet-convert/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/09/23/preparation-myob-files-conversion-xero-jet-convert/#commentsFri, 23 Sep 2016 11:31:21 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=6746I’ve used JetConvert to assist me with over 60 conversion processes. If I have a large number of files to convert I contact them ahead of the planned date and let them know. To prepare the MYOB files for conversion it’s necessary to undertake the following activities. Please note many of the activities listed below do come directly from the JetConvert site. Over time I have extended their list in a few places, to cover everything I’ve encountered. Ensure that the MYOB file is set to the correct accounting basis (cash or accrual) under Setup, Company Information, BAS Information. [MUST DO] Check that balances in all reconciled bank accounts and credit cards actually reflect the statement balances as of the last reconciliation date. For current bank accounts, ensure the detail contains the BSB, Account number and DE User ID where relevant. To check or enter the information in MYOB go to Accounts > Account List > double click on the actual bank account to open it up. Click on the third tab labelled Banking and the banking details can be checked or entered here. If you utilise batch processing – and create an ABA file – you can enter the batch processing information here too. The accounts that are being reconciled with a bank feed, need to be fully reconciled to come across reconciled into Xero. So if the transaction is simply ticked as reconciled, this is not enough. On the reconciliation screen the entering and closing date and balance need to be entered, and click the button labelled reconciled to fully process the reconciliation. If this is not done, there will be additional work required to do after the conversion – so easier to do it here if possible. Ensure all clearing accounts (including Undeposited Funds and Electronic Clearing Account) are reconciled to a zero balance. Confirm that the Accounts Payable report reconciles to Supplier statements and that all unpaid bills are still due. Ensure all credit notes are applied unless actually unused. Confirm that the Accounts Receivable report reconciles to Payable statements and that all unpaid invoices are still due. Ensure all credit notes are applied unless actually unused. Run the Payables & Receivables Reconciliation detail report as of the last day of the financial year in MYOB (e.g. 30/6/16) and make sure that it has no Out of Balance amount. Xero does not allow direct manual journals to system accounts. Check how many general ledger account lines there are, as only 700 can be brought across into the Xero general ledger. It’s not easy to quickly count the number of lines, but you can guestimate in MYOB by going to Accounts > Accounts List > click on the tab labelled All Accounts. Each line represents a general ledger line. Delete the general ledger account lines that are not needed to bring this down to under 700 lines. The conversion cannot be done if there are over 700 lines. The easiest way to initially tackle this is to delete the header or bold lines which don’t come across into Xero anyway. The second step would be deleting lines that have a balance of zero and have never been used. Check that your tax tables are up to date. If not upload the latest tax tables. You can do this in MYOB under Setup, Load, Payroll, Tax Tables. Ensure that all employees that are terminated have a termination date entered, rather than just being made inactive. Identify how many GST general ledger accounts the organisation has. Xero only has a single GST account, and MYOB typically has two GST general ledger accounts. They are generally account type liabilities. 2-XXXX GST Collected and 2-XXXX GST Paid. Does that sound familiar? Has GST been allocated to any other general ledger account? If there are more than two GST accounts – can they be reduced to a maximum of two? Run a verification of the MYOB file (from the File menu, MYO files only). Fix any errors so that the MYOB file can be verified without any errors occurring. Make sure the business name in the MYOB file is correct. If you are converting numerous MYOB files with the same name, enter something to distinguish them, as once they are in Xero they must have a unique name. Print off a copy of the Trial Balance as at the end of the month of the conversion date – this will be checked against the latter. Note the Trial Balance can only be run to the end of the month – remember this when checking once the conversion has finished. Identify on the Trial Balance what accounts will be bank, credit card and PayPal accounts in Xero. Only back up the company file, not all the MYOB data, and leave the password field blank. The MYOB file should be backed up to a zip folder. It is suggested the backup file is called Preconversion_FileName so you are clear what the source data is. Save all backed up files into a single directory area. This may be a shared directory, using a shared folder facility like DROPBOX. For the basic conversion only two years of historical data comes across. If you require more, JetConvert have some bigger packages on offer that https://www.jetconvert.com.au/ may be able to accommodate. The process can take up to 5 business days.

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/09/23/preparation-myob-files-conversion-xero-jet-convert/feed/2Differences in the MYOB and Xero chart of accountshttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/09/23/differences-in-the-myob-xero-chart-of-accounts/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/09/23/differences-in-the-myob-xero-chart-of-accounts/#commentsFri, 23 Sep 2016 10:30:35 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=6731Differences in the MYOB and Xero chart of accounts Here are a number of observations around the differences in the way MYOB and Xero chart of accounts work. This is useful to understand if you are assessing which system you would like to work with. Account Numbers Xero account numbers are completely wild and free – they can be numbers, decimals or letters, and there is no restriction over what has to be assigned to an asset, or liability. The MYOB account numbers are regimented. They are all 5 digits long, and assets start with a 1, liabilities start with a 2, and so on. I understand you can have up to 10 000 general ledger lines in MYOB (but that would be impossible to manage). In Xero the limit is 700, which is more than enough for any business I’ve ever dealt with. You can continue to use the existing MYOB numbers, or you can change them before or once they are in Xero. In MYOB the account number order determined the order the accounts would appear on the financial statement. In Xero, the actual account number is irrelevant to the ordering of the financial statements, what is relevant to the order is the account type. You may use the account number to map the accounts, to other partner solutions, or to comparative reporting solutions. For instance my account numbers map to my accountants tax solution, so he imports my Xero data, and my taxes are finished in a few hours as opposed to a few hours. Honestly the first time I started using Xero I hated how the account numbers come out so close together, how was I supposed to add any more accounts down the track. But after years of working in Xero, I realise that the account numbers don’t have a big impact on anything, other than mapping which I mentioned previously. Account Types The MYOB chart of accounts is split into eight major types, while Xero has five major types. The high-level breakdown is as follows: Assets same Liabilities same Equity same Expenses – MYOB splits this out into Cost of Sales, Expenses, Other Expenses Revenue – MYOB splits Income, Other Income MYOB has more major Account Types, but once you drill into the detail, Xero covers all the necessary basis in this regard. If you’re happy to leave it at that, skip to the next paragraph. If you want to know, map the MYOB Cost of Sales Accounts to Xero Expense Direct Costs. Map the MYOB Other Income Accounts to Xero Revenue Other Income. When it comes to the MYOB Other Expenses use the report customisation options to group them. In MYOB you can reconcile anything that is designated Account Type bank. In Xero only accounts that you want a bank feed associated with, are set up as a a bank type, and they are the only ones that you can do a true reconciliation. The functionality to cleanly reconcile clearing accounts is not available in Xero. There are several workarounds, none of which I have developed a fondness for. The Account Name In MYOB the Account name is a description of the general ledger account. In Xero, the name, in relation to the account type will determine the order. You can see the order the account types will appear in financial statements in the chart to the right. MYOB has an undeposited funds and electronic clearing account which are not needed in Xero. Tax Codes Xero by default seems to use less tax codes than MYOB, and it works OK. Extra can be added if need be. So that highlights the ins and the outs of the differences in the chart of accounts in MYOB and Xero, which is useful to know if you are choosing a solution

]]>IQBOXY v Expensify v AppsForOps v Nexonia v Abukai v Webexpenseshttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/09/14/iqboxy-v-expensify-v-appsforops-v-nexonia-v-abukai-v-webexpenses/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/09/14/iqboxy-v-expensify-v-appsforops-v-nexonia-v-abukai-v-webexpenses/#respondWed, 14 Sep 2016 10:58:55 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=6677Cloud expense reimbursement solutions that integrate with Xero … minimise the friction around staff expense claims. When researching a solution the specific requirements I had included: Smart phone access; The direct supervisor needed be notified that the direct subordinate has prepared and submitted expense claims for approval; Restrict unnecessarily accessing to data of other staff; Expense claim to push into Xero as a bill, not as an expense claim; And of course it needs to be easy to learn, use, and economically priced. Note: I am not looking for a supplier bill scanning solution. I contacted various providers listed on the Xero Marketplace IQBOXY Expensify AppsForOps Nexonia Abukai Webexpenses Here are their responses: Can expense claims be processed on a smartphone? [IQBOXY] Expense document can be scanned with the smart phone and data will be automatically extracted real time. [Expensify] Yes – Download our free app for your iPhone, iPad, or Android. With Expensify mobile, you can track expenses, snap pictures of receipts as well as create & submit expense reports – all on the go! http://help.expensify.com/mobile/ [AppsForOps] Yes, Expense Claims can be submitted and approved via smart phone and we have native apps for iOS and Android. Expense Claim approval can also be done by replying directly to an email. [Nexonia] Yes [Abukai] Yes [Webexpenses] Yes, webexpenses contains both an IOS and Android mobile application. Claims can also be approved via the app. How will the direct supervisor be notified that the direct subordinate has prepared and submitted expense claims for approval? [IQBOXY] For that Manager would be connected to Xero and had their employees linked to their account. Here is more on the linked accounts: https://www.iqboxy.com/blog/add-users-my-team/ [Expensify] Users have an Inbox that will show when they have a report that is waiting for approval. http://help.expensify.com/changes/2015/12/9/new-default-landing-page [AppsForOps] The direct supervisor can choose how they would like to be notified of the Expense Claim approval via a number of options including mobile push notifications, email, SMS and My Notifications. [Nexonia] You can setup email notifications and/or have Nexonia’s mobile app alert the approver via a popup. [Abukai] We can configure any kind of approval rule to satisfy your requirements. In most cases, our clients go with (for example) a 2-level approval flow module, where a staff member submits expense claims, the report gets prepared for the staff member (fully automatically). Once the expense report is ready for review, the staff member gets an email notification and can then login to review and edit the report (all of this can be adjusted and changed, based on your requirements). Once the staff member is happy with the report, the report can be submitted for approval to (for example) a manager. The manager (gets email notification) can then review and comment on the report, and either approve or reject it. If rejected, the report goes back to the filing staff member. If approved, the report goes to the second approval level, usually a finance or accounting staff member, where the report is reviewed again (same options – approve or reject). If approved by finance/ accounts, the report then gets locked and the data transferred into your accounting system (in this case XERO). [Webexpenses] They will receive an email that notifies them to the newly submitted claims that are waiting approval. The system can also be set up so that reminder emails are also sent across to claimants that have open claims and approvers who have claims that they need to approve. Is it possible to assign who should review what expense claims, and restrict other managers from accessing the data unnecessarily? [IQBOXY] Yes can be configured with linked accounts (My Team) as well. [Expensify] All Admins will be able to see reports in user’s accounts. You will be able to setup an Approval workflow in the policy. Expensify has 3 different approval modes available for companies to choose from. These modes are meant to encompass the various approval needs that companies may have. Which approval mode you use for a given policy is chosen in the People section of the policy settings. http://help.expensify.com/approval-overview/ [AppsForOps] Yes you can specify who should approve which users Expense Claims and options include using a user’s manager, a specific organisation role or explicitly define an approver for each user. The data will be locked down so that only the Submitter and Approver can view the data. [Nexonia] Yes [Abukai] Yes, we can configure any set of rules for you [Webexpenses] Yes, you can choose which employee may approve other employee’s claims. The standard procedure is that employees submit their claims to their line managers for approval. This process restricts who can view the submitted claims to the Claimant and Line Manager only. Once approved does the expense claim push into Xero as a supplier bill? Note: I do not want the solution to interface with the expense claims feature found in Xero because currently that feature is clunky, difficult to edit, and if an error is processed almost impossible to correct. [IQBOXY] Yes it is possible for manager to decide whether the expense document is valid and should be created in Xero as bill or not. [Expensify] Preferred Exporter – Any policy admin can export to Xero, but only the preferred exporter will see reports that are ready for export in their Inbox. [AppsForOps] AppsForOps has the option to push the Expense Claim item, including the attachment, into Xero as a Bill or an Expense Claim. This is configured by the user when they configure the AppsForOps and Xero integration. [Nexonia] Yes [Abukai] Yes [Webexpenses] Yes How much does the solution cost? [IQBOXY] PIME plan is US$5.99 per user per month. Here is more information on pricing: https://www.iqboxy.com/pricing/ [Expensify] The Corporate policy is US$9 and the Team is US$5 per active user (As a partner I have a special deal with Expensify – contact me directly!] [AppsForOps] The cost for 1 user would be AU$15 per user, per month which would include the following: Add-on App for Expense Claim: Used where personal […]

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/09/14/iqboxy-v-expensify-v-appsforops-v-nexonia-v-abukai-v-webexpenses/feed/0Deep diving into Xero’s business performance dashboardhttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/09/14/deep-dive-into-business-performance-dashboard/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/09/14/deep-dive-into-business-performance-dashboard/#respondWed, 14 Sep 2016 03:33:15 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=6653One of those new features Xero has introduced is the Business Performance dashboard. It is a suite of standard and advanced ratios of your business. A first glance the dashboard gave me flashbacks at those ratios I had to learn for the many accounting exams I sat. What do they mean for you? In reality many small business I work with are too busy or too small to use ratios. I totally appreciate that. However moving your business to cloud business platform is freeing up administrative time. Let’s take some of that time and reinvest it in understanding your business data, so you are in a position to take advantage of business insights readily available to you. Here’s the deal. I’m going to provide you a with a short explanation of each ratio and how you can use it in your business. If you’re ready to stretch your understanding of your business, and improve your financial literacy, block out 15 minutes in your weekly calendar to watch these videos and explore the Business Dashboard. It can be at wine o’clock, morning muffin time, or even on your smartphone during while you’re at the kids swimming lessons. Just give yourself 15 minutes a week to absorb this information and in turn use it in your business. What I have created is a short video series deep diving into the standard ratios on the Business Performance dashboard. The first video is really kind of bizarre – but with recent developments it’s actually difficult to find the Business Performance Dashboard. How to find the Business Performance Dashboard in Xero Current ratio on Xero’s Business Performance Dashboard Current Liabilities to Net Worth Ratio on Xero’s Business Performance Dashboard Debt to Equity ratio on Xero’s Business Performance Dashboard Debt ratio on Xero’s Business Performance Dashboard Gross Profit % chart on Xero’s Business Performance dashboard Fixed Assets to Net Worth ratio on Xero’s Business Performance dashboard Working Capital to Total Assets % on Xero’s Business Performance dashboard Net Profit on Net Sales % on Xero’s Business Performance dashboard Now once you are feeling comfortable with the Standard ratios there is another suite of Advanced ratios, that only an advisor such as myself can give you access to. What do you think? Have you worked out how you can use this in your business? Have you identified a favourite ratio? Please get in touch if you want to find out how you can use ratios in your business, or want to access to your suite of Advanced ratios.

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/09/14/deep-dive-into-business-performance-dashboard/feed/0Education businesses and Xerohttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/05/10/education-businesses-and-xero/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/05/10/education-businesses-and-xero/#respondTue, 10 May 2016 07:01:05 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=6613There are currently four solutions listed on the Xero marketplace that connect with Xero. Here is some research I did on them. Yes the page has stretched a bit because I used a table – I hope you can read it ok. Wisenet: http://www.wisenet.co/add-ons/xero Arlo: https://www.arlo.co/features/training-and-event-management-software-for-xero JobReady: http://www.jobready.com.au/jobready-xero-integration/ aXcelerate: http://www.axcelerate.com.au/axcelerate-xero-integration/ Do you have successful case studies of someone moving from a Teams & MYOB combination to your solution and Xero? How long did they take? Imports take a couple of weeks -we have experience importing from your existing product. Customer can continue to use existing product while import is prepared and tested. Waiting on a response Yes, we have successfully transitioned organisations from this software provider. We have had many new and existing clients transition from MYOB to Xero. We have had people move from Teams to aXcelerate Can your solution deal with a 24 week courses. Yes – easily! Yes, JobReady.RTO supports ELICOS, CRICOS and all education types from VET in Schools to Higher Education. Our platform is designed to be scalable and ensure efficiencies for high intake courses and thorough monitoring for long term Courses, Qualifications. Yes, aXcelerate can handle 24-week courses. Can you deal with up to 300 agents (overseas and AU) selling the course? Yes Yes, JobReady.RTO has a portal especially designed for remote Agents. Our Agent Portal can be used by Agents to submit referrals, track commission and communicate with the training provider. Alternative access can also be setup to allow for a reduced Administration access. Yes, we can handle agents. Can you deal with complicated multi-line invoices that can produce a complete invoice for the agent – and the summary portion for the student? Same invoice slightly different information. Yes, JobReady.RTO is a complete sub-ledger that allows for multi line invoicing. Separate line items may be allocated for commission, where other lines are not etc. An enrolment can be split into multiple invoices, allowing an Agent to pay some and a Student to pay the other. JobReady’s automated workflow can send both emails and letters to Agents, Students and/or parents/guardians as needed. Yes, we have a flexible invoice system that allows custom line items. 5. Can your solution deal with the negative GST involved when an agent’s commission is deducted off an invoice? To confirm, if you are referring to international agents where GST does not apply, then yes. Line items can exclude any Tax treatment, but agent commission rates can also exclude GST. 6. Can you deal with the invoice changing multiple times? Yes Yes, invoices can be changed, however may also affect any integrated General Ledger system. To ensure a more accurate audit trail, it is always recommended to follow credit note or adjustments procedures. Yes 7. Can you deal with payment solutions like eWay? PayflowPro Yes, JobReady.RTO support the following payment gateways for online enrolment; PayPal, eWay, ANZ eGate, Commweb and St George. Yes we have an integration with Eway 8. What is the starting price of your solution? Premium begins @ $430 a month. http://www.wisenet.co/editions-pricing Our price starts at $3,620.00

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/05/10/education-businesses-and-xero/feed/0Marketplace Platforms and Xerohttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/05/09/marketplace-platforms-and-xero/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/05/09/marketplace-platforms-and-xero/#respondMon, 09 May 2016 05:50:58 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=6605 If you think of solutions like AirBNB, Uber, Etsy, Kickstarter, IndieGoGo, AirTasker, Fiverr, Lyft, TaskRabbit and Freelancer these businesses run on a MARKETPLACE PLATFORM. The business that facilitates the marketplace platform OWNS the transaction, not the goods or services sold. So AirBNB does not own accommodation, Uber do not own cars, and Etsy does not have an office filled with glitter and glue guns. The transaction involves three entities; customer, supplier and the business facilitating the platform. A typical scenario is a customer commits to purchase something from the supplier via the marketplace transaction. At some stage the customers’ payment is taken. This may be before or after the service is delivered. Then the payment is split with a transaction/ administrative fee paid to the business facilitating the marketplace transaction and the remaining payment paid to the supplier. The full payment the customer makes typically will not hit the facilitating businesses books. Imagine if it did – its turnover would be astronomical and potentially would trigger increased taxation depending on the jurisdiction. My query was could an Australian business use Xero and offer a marketplace platform? This is what my research revealed. Stripe:- https://stripe.com/connect Stripe seems to have all the bells and whistles. Stripe pricing: accept payments 1.75% + 30c for domestic cards Paying sellers 0.5% If you are using Stripe and Xero, you also need a solution called http://sush.io/ which automatically reconciles payments from Stripe in Xero. Sush.io pricing 3000 transactions at $50 per month. PromisePay: https://promisepay.com Melbourne start-up, does not offer recurring subscriptions or integration with Xero yet. In start-up mode a player to watch. ShareTribe https://www.sharetribe.com/ Starts at $39US a month – quick set-up no developers required. Looks easy to set up. This seems to have a large educational area worth checking out. Does not integrate with Xero, but does integrate with PayPal – so could just push the payments in via a PayPal feed and deal with them then. Magento https://magento.com/ There would be a basic Magento cost Monthly subscription modules https://www.magentocommerce.com/magento-connect/catalogsearch/result/?q=subscriptions&pl=0 Marketplace Multi-Vendor module https://www.magentocommerce.com/magento-connect/marketplace.html $349 Various integrators that can connect Magento to Xero https://www.magentocommerce.com/magento-connect/catalogsearch/result/?q=xero&pl=0 PayPal Braintree: https://www.braintreepayments.com/ This one is not currently available in Australia. I do have a concern about Xero integration and its System Limits: Xero is designed for volumes of up to 1,000 Sales invoices (Accounts Receivables) and 1,000 Purchases bills (Accounts Payables) per month, dependent also on the frequency of invoicing during the month, variability of amounts and the frequency of sales tax reporting requirements. http://developer.xero.com/documentation/getting-started/xero-api-limits/ as the solution grows we need to treat transactions in batches. Further reading: Owning the Transaction: http://platformed.info/marketplace-rake-own-the-transaction-like-saas/ Have you had any success using Xero with a Marketplace platform?

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/05/09/marketplace-platforms-and-xero/feed/0What is a Xero Cloud Service Provider?http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/04/05/xero-cloud-service-provider/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/04/05/xero-cloud-service-provider/#respondTue, 05 Apr 2016 03:07:27 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=6561As a Xero Cloud Service Provider my objective is to implement an integrated online business platform for the client. An optimal rollout relieves administrative burden, enabling the business to access timely and accurate insights into their operations. As a Cloud Service Provider (CSP) I:- Whiteboard clients business processes. Identify stresses, bottlenecks, repetition and manual intervention. Review and test suitable online solutions. Develop a project implementation plan. Build an integrated online business platform. Check data integrity and tax compliance. Deliver training. Provide ongoing support. CSP clients come in all shapes and sizes. Some clients want anything that can be automated — automated! Some clients pick and choose from the online solutions identified. Some clients want me to brain storm ideas with them, research suitable options and then they’re comfortable running the rollout themselves. Some clients want me to work with them, and the solution providers to rollout of their new business platform. Some want to hear about what is possible, but they’re not ready to make any changes yet. To offer these services I draw on my expert knowledge and experience I’ve obtained as a professional qualified accountant working with small businesses over the last decade. I supplement my knowledge (and you can too!) with the Cloud Stories podcasts — interviews with brilliant minds working in the online space. Also I facilitate a monthly Master Mind meet-up where online solutions present a deep dive into how to implement and operate their solution. The combination possibilities of integrated online business platform are endless. I can’t be expected to know all of them. To simplify my offerings and provide the best outcome to clients, I choose to work with Xero as the core accounting solution. I aim to select online solutions from the Xero Add-on Marketplace that plug into Xero. If you think of Xero as being an iPhone, the add-on marketplace is like the app store.Click To Tweet I was asked what a Xero Cloud Service provider meant and this was the explanation I provided. Let me know if you have any questions about this – or if I can elaborate further for you on this topic.

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/04/05/xero-cloud-service-provider/feed/0Xero promo codes Australiahttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/04/05/xero-promo-codes-australia/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/04/05/xero-promo-codes-australia/#respondTue, 05 Apr 2016 02:54:27 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=6548Yes Xero has promo codes. Yes I sometimes know the active promo codes are. I’m only going to be able to help you with Australian promo codes. You can ask me on twitter at @HeatherSmithAU or click on my contact page and send through an email to me: http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/contact-us/ and ask if I have a promo code that I can share with you. I might be able to help.

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/04/05/xero-promo-codes-australia/feed/0Podcast: Cloud Stories – Exploring the Xero universe and beyondhttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/02/22/podcast-cloud-stories-exploring-the-xero-universe-and-beyond/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/02/22/podcast-cloud-stories-exploring-the-xero-universe-and-beyond/#respondMon, 22 Feb 2016 06:14:21 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=6513I host an online podcast show called Cloud Stories: an independent accounting and bookkeeping podcast showcasing in depth interviews with Xero cloud enthusiasts & appaholics from around the world. A podcast is like a radio programme on the Internet that can be listened to on a media device. The Cloud Stories podcast vision The vision for the podcast is to share stories of people and businesses operating in our connected Xero community. • Xero Developers • Cloud Integrators • End-Users • Xero Solution providers • Xero Business Consultants and even Xero staff members. To mix it up I also speak with brilliant minds leading the digital revolution who perhaps have nothing to do with Xero – but are just interesting in their own way. The show’s an opportunity to gain a deep understanding of our business community, and how we can use big data to transform small businesses. Cloud Stories is the coolest accounting podcast in the world – awesome dude in the USClick To Tweet Personally, I’ve known my dentist and my doctor for twelve years, and my accountant for twenty six years. I have long relationships with people I deal with and for me it’s essential that I know the people behind these digital solutions. We’re doing business on the internet with people from across the globe, but essentially we buy from people. The Cloud Stories podcast is real people sharing real experiences and insights, and the whole shebang – the good, the bad and the ugly – it’s the must listen to podcast if you’re working within the Xero community. Cloud Stories interviews include: The very first interview in the series is with Valerie Khoo who runs Australia’s leading online writing centre. There’s also an interview with Peta Ellis about co-working spaces and start-up community in Australia, and Geni Whitehouse of Even a Nerd Can Be Heard who helps nerds with communication skills. I also talk with Melanie Power Head of Bookkeeping Xero, accountant Blake Oliver Director of Technology and Marketing at HPC in Los Angeles, Edinburgh based 2014 partner of the year Colin Hewitt founder of Float, Singapore based, kiwi born Cameron Priest about his inventory management solution Trade Gecko, and from my own back yard I’ve talked with David Watson of the analytical and reporting solution Fathom. Together its an opportunity to learn and share different perspectives of the community. Podcasting fun facts The first podcast I seriously listened to was: Manager Tools My favourite podcast is Small Business Big Marketing How do I listen to a podcast? I’m now using Overcast as my preferred app for listening to podcasts on my iPhone – it has a simple intuitive interface and as my iPhone is connected with the rest of the family – I no longer have their podcast choices filling my selections! To listen to Cloud Stories on an ANDROID device: Click here on Cloud Stories scroll down the page and select Podcast Addict and install it on your android device. Now search for Cloud Stories. You should be able to download and listen to all the episodes. The podcast is pre-recorded so you can listen to it on the day it is released or any day in the future. I’d encourage you to subscribe. Yes Cloud Stories is looking for sponsors Cloud Stories podcast is seeking further sponsorship please get in touch if you would like to expose your business to a niche global audience. Current sponsors of Cloud Stories are Spotlight Reporting a cloud based business intelligence reporting organisation, providing online analysis and insight – anytime, anywhere.

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/02/22/podcast-cloud-stories-exploring-the-xero-universe-and-beyond/feed/0YouTube and video creationhttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/02/22/youtube-and-video-creation/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/02/22/youtube-and-video-creation/#respondMon, 22 Feb 2016 01:48:23 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=6507I always wanted to be the next David O.Selznick so I’ve combined my passion for the cinema with my passion for helping people in business and I’ve created numerous easy-to-follow educational videos which you can access on my YouTube channel. I invite you to click through and subscribe https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting Here’s links to a few examples of videos I’ve created – there are many more on my YouTube channel: 60 benefits and features of Xero Free Xero Video Training : Introduction to Xero Accounting solution Inside Xero Cash book Setting up Xero Payroll: Australian Users Running a Xero Payroll PayRun: Australian Users Xero : Dealing with partial payments Here’s an example of a video I did with Xero add-on QuickWinDevelopment. Downloading @Xero data using @QuickWinDev Excel Integration Tool You can read about the videos I developed with Xero here.

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/02/22/youtube-and-video-creation/feed/0Take ownership of your business journeyhttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/02/19/take-ownership-of-your-business-journey/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/02/19/take-ownership-of-your-business-journey/#respondFri, 19 Feb 2016 05:39:47 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=6475It’s beneficial for small businesses to hold an annual strategy meeting. On the surface it sounds like a huge undertaking. But if you break it down –it can seem less daunting. A strategy meeting is an opportunity to take time out of the business and reflect on what’s happening in the business, to review internal and external factors on a macro and micro level. While honestly reviewing the current state of affairs, the meeting should work towards developing a plan for the future. In practical terms the outcome of a strategy meeting will be updating the business plan. If you need help developing a business plan my book Learn Small Business Start-Up in 7 days walks you through the development of a business plan. I believe a business plan, to be effective, should not be kept in a drawer – it should evolve as the business evolves. On the agenda of every strategy meeting should be a SWOT analysis, a review of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. One would hope that year on year, the weaknesses are minimised, and the small business has taken advantage of its strengths and opportunities. For example if it was recognised that a lot of inventory was being written off (a weakness) then the business should plan to review inventory management. This review may result in the implementation of a more robust (and hopefully cloud based!) inventory management solution. As a small business owner – if you do identify weaknesses in your business – it’s a smart move to talk to your management accountant about them. As a business advisor we have a broad understanding of many areas of business operation, and can be a sounding board, especially when it comes to and business processes and increasing profitability. It’s beneficial to have a number of people with diverse experience who know the business at the strategy meeting. This may include senior management, external professionals like your accountant, or even a regular customer. If you know recognise there’s a problem in the business there are a number of ways you can come up with a solution. Personally I like Edward de Bono’s thinking tool known as Six Hats: In the white hat, the thinker strives to be neutral and objective, using facts and figures In the red hat, the thinker is allowed to express emotions and feelings without any justification The wearer of the black hat is cautious and careful, and identifies what may go wrong The yellow hat thinker strives to be positive and constructive, identifying the benefits In the green hat, the thinker is creative, searching laterally for alternative ideas And the wearer of the blue hat focuses on controlling and organising the other thinking In practicable terms the desire to improve the business may result in: Competitor and consumer research Explore ecommerce and other revenue streams Modernise marketing and incorporate social media and email marketing Review current technology infrastructure and identify improvement’s – and it’s a review like this that may move you to explore adopting Xero as your core accounting solution – and furthermore explore the Xero-ecosystem to adopt other solutions that can automate business processes and produce timely accurate business data. Have you reviewed the plans for your business journey this year? My book Learn Small Business Start-Up in 7 is a great place to start developing a business plan even if you have been in business for a number of years (the title is deception!). Then decide who will be at the strategy meeting, set the agenda, and spend some time setting the course of your business. If I can help you with this – if I can help you scope the automation of your business processes – please get in touch.

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/02/19/take-ownership-of-your-business-journey/feed/0Connecting HealthKit to Xerohttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/02/06/connecting-healthkit-to-xero/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/02/06/connecting-healthkit-to-xero/#respondSat, 06 Feb 2016 05:04:20 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=6440In February’16 Alison Hardacre co-founder of HealthKit presented at the Brisbane Xero Mastermind meetup group. This is the written overview I was given about Healthkit which perhaps help explain it better than I can: For practitioners, HealthKit is the first practice management software customized to any practitioner of any profession in any country in the world. HealthKit doesn’t just reduce your administration – it removes it, so you can focus solely on patients. HealthKit is tailored specifically for sole, group and multi-disciplinary practices. My primary interest is how Healthkit integrates with Xero. But there’s a lot more to the solution that I had anticipated. Health is a team sport. As a patient you may see General Practice doctor, a Surgeon, an Anaesthetist and more. If they were all using Healthkit, and you gave them permission, they could share your data. Reducing the number of forms you fill out. Referral letters would be attached to your records. Each doctor can access your up to date health records; such as current prescriptions, blood test results over a period of time, and general health history. Enhancing access to accurate information should lead to improved diagnosis for the patient. As a patient – you could actually seek out other Healthkit practitioners – so you knew they were able to access you up to date health records. Brilliant solution for travellers! Healthkits big data may also lead to identifying need for doctor services in particular areas, or detect disease clusters. I realise some people are freaking out about the big brother implications. On the positive side real data, can be the catalyst to attracting needed resources. On the negative side, I imagine health insurance premiums could assess the information, and really sting people who will need to claim on their insurance. I should add that Alison Hardacre told us that it only takes about ten minutes to learn the solution – which is promising. Here are my take-aways regarding the Healthkit and Xero integration: Integrating with Xero will help you gain visibility over your numbers and assist in compliance reporting. Currently Xero is the only online accounting solution that integrates with Healthkit. Healthkit the practice management solution is free. You pay a percentage of the payment’s received, so if the patient pays by cash, then you are pay nothing for the transaction. Healthkit can split out into multiple Xero files. In a practice if they’re multiple practitioners each with their own ABN number, the financial data can be split and pushed into their respective Xero files. This is HUGE. This is a massive time saver for anyone who’s ever tried to unravel the hairball mess of splitting a single source of data into multiple files for the preparation of financial reports. There’s the option of anonymity – so patient names can be anonymous when they are pushed into Xero. The screen connecting Healthkit and Xero data fields – sorry it’s a bit blurry. So you need to tell the Healthkit data where it should go into Xero. On the left side you can see Default Revenue, but notice under the line is an Add New button. So in Healthkit you could have multiple revenue streams, e.g service sales, product sales. This can be done for expenses and the payment options too. If I was setting it up – I’d define the business revenue and expenses then I would customise Healthkit and Xero so expenses and revenue mirrored one another. This would help with your data analysis. I would then make sure I identified and added each possible payment method in both solutions. For reconciliation purposes – you would really need to make sure you aligned the correct payment methods here. With respect to payment methods, co-founder Alison Hardacre was quite excited that Xero had announced a Stripe integration. As a side note exploring payment options for your client is another way you can help them improve their cashflow. CloudCounting just set up @Stripe with @Xero as a payment service – so easy! and 0.3% cheaper than Paypal. Took about five minutes. — CloudCounting (@CloudCountingAU) February 5, 2016 HealthKit syncs automatically – so you don’t need to push data across it just happens. You can sync HealthKit to the Xero Demo Company file During the presentation there were a number of people with deep knowledge of the healthcare industry in the room. The discussion turned to analyse how you sell Healthkit to a specialist or private practice. It was suggested that these healthcare professionals are not too concerned with improving their cash flow, or minimising their administrative burden. They also find asking for money in the form of payment – awkward and somewhat dirty. So when you’re talking to a healthcare professional about Healthkit and Xero integration, pitch the process. Talk to them about the streamlined workflow, that comes from using the solution. Here are the handouts that were given out in the session: It was discussed that many health practitioners’ receivables’ were in a mess. An example was shared that an analysis of medicare rebates was undertaken on a business shortly after Xero and Healthkit was implemented. Ten thousand dollars in unclaimed rebates was uncovered. This does not surprise me in the least. A cash discovery of this magnitude pays for the full cost of the implementation plus a luxurious holiday to Fiji! The number of users Healthkit is on-boarding is growing rapidly. You can find out more about HealthKit here: https://www.healthkit.com You can find out more about the HealthKit and Xero syncing here: https://www.healthkit.com/manual/Xero_Syncing If online healthcare solutions interest you I suggest you also read: http://www.linkedin.com/pulse/three-connections-you-need-make-youre-xero-accountant-heather-smith?trk=prof-post This presentation was given at the Xero Mastermind Meetup group held at River City Labs. Our meetings are an opportunity to learn about solutions that connect with Xero. It’s free to join and the best way to keep informed of our upcoming events: http://www.meetup.com/Xero-Mastermind-Meetup/ Click here to contact me if you need assistance with your Xero and HealthKit integration.

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/02/06/connecting-healthkit-to-xero/feed/0MYOB to Xero conversionshttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/02/01/myob-to-xero-conversions/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/02/01/myob-to-xero-conversions/#respondMon, 01 Feb 2016 05:44:06 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=6427If you’re using an MYOB solution at the moment and you’re keen to move across to Xero, but just thinking about the move is giving you a headache — I can help! I can work with you to set up Xero, move your existing business data across, and provide you with training in how to use Xero. Scoping the conversion: Once you decide you want to migrate to Xero if you’re working with me the first step in the process is for you to fill out and return a Client Form. Now if you’re even contemplating a move – contact me – so you can start working on the form. It starts you thinking about the questions you need to answer. It also helps both of us work through any issues we need to be aware of, and prepare you for the next stage. Conversion Date: If we opt to use a conversion service, the date here is not to important – it can be anytime. If we opt for a manual conversion I suggest you start with the nearest date to the beginning of a tax period, like the start of your financial year. Historical data to be brought across into the Xero file: There are two ways we can deal with your existing information. Using a conversion service I can assist you with using a conversion service to move to Xero. I tend to prefer using a conversion service, because it’s quicker, cheaper and two years of historical data comes across. If your MYOB file meets the criteria then this is an option. The MYOB file still needs to be prepared prior to the conversion and either you or I can do it. Once the file is ready the actual conversion is fast – I’ve had some up and running in a few hours – but the disclaimer is 5 working days. Once your business data is in Xero the data can be tidied as needed – there are some tricks I can show you to get this done fast. The migration to Xero can include the following as you require; Project manage the conversion from MYOB to Xero Add bank accounts and assist with activation of bank feeds in Xero Design and import approved Chart of Accounts Dashboard customisation Discuss management reporting needs and set up relevant tracking categories Setup Xero invoice template Define payroll settings Invite users to access Xero Manual conversion I can work with you to clean up your data, and start the file with clean information and conversion balances. If you need to look at the history – I ask you refer to your old accounting solution – as only data from the time of conversion is generally brought across. If you opt for this method I ask you to send me across current information (MYOB data file) you want imported into Xero. I extract and manipulate the data, and send it back to you in Excel Spreadsheet format for approval. The move from your existing system to a new system is a chance to detox your data, and editing in Excel Spreadsheet is super easy. Once you’ve approved the data you then send the updated Excel Spreadsheets back to me; I check and import the data. The migration to Xero can include the following; Add bank accounts and assisting with activation of feeds in Xero Import approved contacts Design and import approved Chart of Accounts Dashboard customisation Discuss management reporting needs and setup relevant tracking categories Setup Xero invoice template Define payroll settings and import employees [I provide you with a template I need completed] Opening balances – once your accounts for the financial year have been finalised the full opening balances can be entered, in the meantime, I enter what you need to get started. Invite users to access Xero Xero Training to use the new system While this is happening you could grab a copy of Xero for Dummies and jump in and start reading sections so you have an appreciation of how Xero will work for you. I tidy up various areas, give you access to the Xero file and then set-up training with you – you can read about the various Xero training options I offer here. I’m then available as and when you need me. How much will this cost? Setting up a Xero file for an existing business is charged at my standard hourly consultation rate because it’s difficult to assess from the outset how much time it will take and any obstacles I may encounter along the way. To minimise surprises I suggest you enter as much information as possible on the Client Form I provide, so I can discuss any potential issues with you. Also I work with you – so if there are parts of the process you want to do – I’m happy to give you guidance in how to do them. Or I can do it all and simply invite you in.

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/02/01/myob-to-xero-conversions/feed/022 Reasons for small businesses to invest in Xero traininghttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/02/01/reasons-for-small-businesses-to-invest-in-xero-training/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/02/01/reasons-for-small-businesses-to-invest-in-xero-training/#respondMon, 01 Feb 2016 03:07:04 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=6419If you’re a business operator and Xero is or will be the core accounting solution used in your business, here are twenty two reasons why I think it’s smart to invest in Xero training for your staff in 2016: Training in Xero gives staff the tools & knowledge to be productive Training in Xero ensures staff are able to complete tasks in the most efficient manner Efficiently Training staff in Xero means they have more time to help customers & generate sales revenue Training in Xero helps enhance staffs individual skills, so they’re in a better position to contribute to the overall success of an organisation Staff feel valued when Training is made available to them – invest in Xero Training Providing Training opportunities can increase staff retention – invest in Xero Training Training can help your staff feel comfortable using Xero software Training in Xero can helps your staff understand the big picture of how bookkeeping fits into the business Xero Training minimises errors – saving time – so you & your staff can get home earlier Training staff in Xero helps you stay ahead of the competition A business that offers Training – attracts quality talented staff – invest in Xero Training Training is a cost effective way to upskill staff – invest in Xero Training Specific task orientated Training improves productivity – invest in Xero Training Technical Training in Xero helps staff deliver management reports in a timely manner Training staff in Xero can increase retention & reduce turnover expense Training in Xero helps equip you to produce accurate accounts which may lead to reduced accounting bills! The expense of investing in Xero Training can be offset against improved productivity, reduced errors & accounting expenses Cross Training staff in Xero increases flexibility in the workplace Cross Training staff in Xero means work does not come to a halt when someone is away Training staff encourages the spread of knowledge in the business Business benefit long term from sending staff on short technical training courses Staff are better positioned to produce management reports that align to company goals with Xero Training If you’d like to explore Xero training options for your staff, you can click through here to review my suggested options to suit any budget. I look forward to meeting you on your Xero journey.

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/02/01/reasons-for-small-businesses-to-invest-in-xero-training/feed/012 Reasons to invest in Xero traininghttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/01/21/12-reasons-to-invest-in-xero-training/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/01/21/12-reasons-to-invest-in-xero-training/#respondThu, 21 Jan 2016 06:57:20 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=6392If you find yourself here reading this – you’ve probably heard about Xero. Xero is a popular online accounting solution used by many businesses in Australia and beyond. As an early adopter, I’ve been training people in how to optimise Xero in their business for many years now (I even wrote the book!). Last year I tested the water – was there a demand for workshop or classroom style training here in Brisbane? The answer was definitely YES! With a growing number of businesses using Xero, staff, accountants, bookkeepers and management are keen to learn this innovative cloud accounting / bookkeeping software, and get a bit closer to understanding their numbers. So as well as offering online Xero training – I have expanded my services to offer Xero workshop training at the spacious and beautiful facilities known as ‘The Edge’ in Southbank, Brisbane. If you’ve been contemplating Xero training here are twelve reasons to invest in Xero training in 2016: Training in Xero gives you the tools & knowledge to be productive. Training in Xero ensures you’re able to complete tasks in the most efficient manner. Training can help you feel comfortable using Xero software Formal training gives you the time to focus on learning Xero and asking all the questions that you need too Investing in training reduces the time it takes to learn Xero. Training in Xero gives you the opportunity to test different scenarios. Dedicated Xero training gives you the opportunity to focus on technique rather than processing speed. Training in Xero can enhance your resume and career – make sure you remember to update your LinkedIn profile after undertaking training! You’ll learn real world-scenarios when participating in Xero workshop training from other attendees. Training in Xero can help you understand the big picture of how bookkeeping fits into the business. Xero Training minimises errors – saving time – so you can get home earlier. Your bookkeeping skills will be enhanced with Xero Training. If you’re now convinced that you should undertake some Xero training, you can click through to book a one on one online Xero session with me, or you can visit the spectacular city of Brisbane and book in here for one of the monthly Xero workshops I facilitate: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/xero-training-introductory-workshop-tickets-20291666922 I look forward to meeting you on your Xero journey.

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/01/21/12-reasons-to-invest-in-xero-training/feed/0Nine reasons why you should create and give away an e-Books and sixty free e-bookshttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/01/07/nine-reasons-why-you-should-create-and-give-away-an-e-books-and-sixty-free-e-books/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/01/07/nine-reasons-why-you-should-create-and-give-away-an-e-books-and-sixty-free-e-books/#respondThu, 07 Jan 2016 00:44:11 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=6380Creating and giving away an eBooks has many benefits for your business: An e-book gets your ideas into someone else’s hands. An e-book increases exposure and awareness of your business in the community. An e-book enables blogs and online communities to share and promote your e-book for you An e-book is an opportunity to collect contact details of leads who may be interested in purchasing from you. An e-book sets you up as the expert or authority in your area. An e-book is a subtle form of advertising – but you need to really get the balance right. Invite readers to start communicating with you on social media, and include links to your website, but don’t be pushy, otherwise it turns into a long form advert, rather than useful content. An e-book gives you something interesting to talk about and share on social media. An e-book increases traffic to your website – it’s easier to convert someone if they are actually there. Someone like me may come along and create a list of free e-books, put it on their blog, share it with their community, and your e-book has found its way into the hands, or digital eyes of new readers, and you benefit from both SEO love and expanded reach. So if you’re looking for something to read here’s links to a variety of useful business ebooks from authors and businesses. The first 50 pages of the Tim Ferris’s 4-Hour Workweek are available on his site http://fourhourworkweek.com/ Productivity expert James Clear offers up two free ebooks at his site: http://jamesclear.com/books : Transform Your Habits and Mastering Creativity. They are free guides that cover his best ideas on building habits, changing your behavior, and improving your mental and physical performance. Legendary marketing guru Seth Godin shares the complete book ‘Unleashing the Ideas virus’ on his website http://www.sethgodin.com/ideavirus/01-getit.html Kissmetrics a business specialising in marketing analytics has thirty six free marketing guides on email, social media and general marketing available on their site https://blog.kissmetrics.com/marketing-guides/ The software development team 37 Signals offers up their book ‘Getting Real’ The smarter, faster, easier way to build a successful web application. This one is probably mainly useful for software developers: http://gettingreal.37signals.com/ Internet marketer Pat Flynn shares his ebook: eBook smarts a Complete Guide to Publishing and Automating a Killer eBook http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/ebooks-the-smart-way/ American entrepreneur Chris Guillebeau offers his book: 279 days to overnight success: http://chrisguillebeau.com/overnight-success/ and you don’t even need to give this guy your email address! Online inventory solution Trade Gecko has a library of neat, easy to understand e-books on inventory management and B2B tips and tricks. Important, useful information, elegantly presented. I regularily write with Trade Gecko so you may find a few insights from me in the mix. http://www.tradegecko.com/ebooks/ The beautiful online accounting solution Xero has produced three ebooks available through iTunes. Payroll essentials for your small business https://itunes.apple.com/book/payroll-essentials-for-your/id971871102?mt=11 How to make invoicing easier for your business https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/how-to-make-invoicing-easier/id971879020?mt=11 Accounting tips & tricks for your small business https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/accounting-tips-tricks-for/id971881131?mt=11 (And remember if you need support with your Xero solution – you can contact me http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/contact-us/ ) The online job tracking solution WorkFlowMax has developed a number of guides useful guides for specific industries. Small business guide to getting paid faster: http://www.workflowmax.com/small-business-start-up-guide-to-getting-paid-faster 15 emails to keep clients happy: http://www.workflowmax.com/resources/ebooks/15-emails-to-keep-clients-happy?c=1 A to Z of Project Management for Architects: http://www.workflowmax.com/resources/ebooks/a-to-z-project-management-for-architects?c=1 The Complete Guide to Solving Agency Inefficiencies: http://www.workflowmax.com/the-complete-guide-to-solving-agency-inefficiencies?c=1 HubSpot the inbound marketing and sales platform, together with Timely the online appointment scheduling software have developed a book called ‘How to grow your business on a budget’. They say it will teach you everything you need to know about about finding your customers, increasing your online presence and building your brand on social media. All with the aim of attracting more customers, and keeping them coming back. Click here. ‘Ultimate Guide to Business Process Automation with Zapier‘ produced by Process.St the simple process and workflow management tool. When you access these sites, make a note of how they entice you to download their book – do you like the way they do it? Do you like the format of the e-book? Would you use the businesses services, or would you share them with a colleague? What would you like to read in an e-book? If you think an e-book would be useful asset in your marketing arsenal – let’s talk! I love to write on business topics – and I can work with you to develop informative content for your community. Finally do you know of any other free e-books I should include on this list?

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2016/01/07/nine-reasons-why-you-should-create-and-give-away-an-e-books-and-sixty-free-e-books/feed/0Xero and Chaserhttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/08/08/xero-and-chaser/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/08/08/xero-and-chaser/#respondSat, 08 Aug 2015 06:09:39 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=6191David Tuck and Benjamin Johnson presented an overview of CHASER to the Xero Mastermind meetup group on the 6th August in Brisbane. Chaser is a cloud debt collection solution that connects with Xero, saving you time, and improving your cash flow! David highlighted the small business problems Chaser was addressing; David explained using the British philosophy polite persistence pays, that if an entity legitimately owed you money, the Chaser solution would help you collect the outstanding, while still maintaining a respectable and professional relationship with the entity. I love that Chaser only connects with Xero!! It means that are focused on optimising the sync between the two solutions. It chases payments by sending editable reminder emails to clients, and maintains the complete conversation in a one place. On average, using Chaser, client debtor days are reduced by 26 days, and this in turn improves cash flow. Want to know more? You can read Chasers CEO and co-founder David Tuck’s story here on Cloud Stories. Website: https://www.chaser.io Twitter: https://twitter.com/chaser_io Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chaser Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chaserio If you‘d like me to help set up Chaser trial account for you – get in contact! Click here to join the Xero Mastermind meetup group After their presentation they turned the tables on me and David interviewed me. Here’s the interview: If you have any questions just ask!

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/08/08/xero-and-chaser/feed/0Xero Cashbookhttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/08/05/xero-cash-book/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/08/05/xero-cash-book/#respondWed, 05 Aug 2015 07:07:53 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=6175Here’s a short video I made on Xero Cashbook; The general Xero product talked about is the Xero business edition, but there is a lighter cheaper version, called Xero Cashbook. To subscribe to Xero Cashbook you need to be a Xero partner. A business or individual cannot subscribe directly to Xero for their Xero Cashbook solution – they must go through a partner. There are three versions of Xero Cashbook. One has very limited functionality, so I’m not mentioning it here. The other two are essentially differentiated by whether they come with or without consumer tax, by that I mean with or without GST, VAT, PST, that extra bit of tax added to purchases, wherever you’re located. For the purpose of this article I’ll call it GST. Xero Cashbook, without GST, is suited to someone who wants to track their personal finances and feels comfortable working in the Xero environment Xero Cashbook with GST is suited to labour only contractors, sole traders, property trusts, market stall holders, investment entities, dormant companies, start-up companies that don’t require invoicing, and similar simple business structures. A cashbook can be updated to a business edition when you need it. The Xero Cashbook with GST, has unlimited bank transactions, activity statements, reporting, budget manager, & file storage. It does work with the Xero to Xero network. The Xero Cashbook does NOT having invoicing, billing, the ability to process employees, inventory or expense claims. There is a Demo version of Cashbook. Scroll to the bottom of your My.Xero area and click on the hyperlink that says ‘Change Country or Edition’ and select Partner Edition (Cashbook) If your clients are on Backlink & they’d prefer stable pricing convert them to Xero Cashbook. Transaction numbers in Banklink affect pricing. Conversions from Banklink to Xero can be done by JetConvert. I’ve a number of clients on Xero Cash Books and if you’d like me to set it up for you – just get in touch!

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/08/05/xero-cash-book/feed/07 Free stock image sites for your blog, plus one bonus tip!http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/08/03/7-free-stock-images-for-your-blog-plus-one-extra-tip/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/08/03/7-free-stock-images-for-your-blog-plus-one-extra-tip/#commentsMon, 03 Aug 2015 13:18:15 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=6169I find immense pleasure from writing and I want people to read what I’ve written, but I recognise some of the material is dry – but it’s still important. So to make dry content digestible, I always include an attractive photograph. When using images, make sure have permission – it’s someone’s property and it’s not fair to use someone’s work without properly remunerating them. Believe me lots of people do it with my writing, and the flattery wears thin. Firstly, if possible I will always turn to my own iPhone and images I’ve captured. I have a file called blog photos and I’ll store them there. If you are planning to blog, and don’t have a special place for potential blog images – stop and create it now! If you need stock images for your blog, here are seven places you can access them. At the time of writing they were free to use in commercial projects, but make sure you check the terms and conditions: All the Free Stock: Images in one location. All of the sites under Free Stock Photos block link images listed under the Creative Commons Zero license, so you are free to use these images in commercial projects. http://allthefreestock.com/ Death to the stock photo: You’ve got to love that name. Offers to email free photos to your inbox. Mmmm, don’t like having to search for photos in my inbox. http://deathtothestockphoto.com/ Finda Photo: This site curates 100% free stock images from lots of sites. What I really like is that you can search by key word colour, hex colour, collection, source. When you select an image you want, it shares the site of origin, dimensions, aspect ratio and artist. Save yourself time and bookmark this site for all blog images you need. The stock image collection sites include images from the following site; Barn Images http://barnimages.com/ Free Nature stock http://freenaturestock.com/ Jay Mantri http://jaymantri.com/ Life of Pix http://www.lifeofpix.com/ MMT http://mmt.li/ Picography http://picography.co/ Realistic Shots http://realisticshots.com/ SkitterPhoto http://skitterphoto.com/ Start Up Stock Photos http://startupstockphotos.com/ Unsplash https://unsplash.com/ Site: http://finda.photo/ Gratisography is a collection of quirky stylised images. I’d definitely take a look if you want a left of centre look to your images http://www.gratisography.com/ Pexels has a wide arrange of crisp and interesting stock images. http://www.pexels.com/ StockSnap Lots of images, that can be searched, and sorted by date, trending, views, downloads and favourites. https://stocksnap.io/ StreetWill describes itself as a site of free vintage photos to use any way you want. http://streetwill.co/

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/08/03/7-free-stock-images-for-your-blog-plus-one-extra-tip/feed/5How outsourcing can save the world : 5 sites for finding virtual expertshttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/08/03/how-outsourcing-can-save-the-world-5-sites-for-finding-virtual-experts/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/08/03/how-outsourcing-can-save-the-world-5-sites-for-finding-virtual-experts/#respondMon, 03 Aug 2015 06:25:12 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=6159If you’re open to the concept of a virtual outsourcing, and want to find an expert or sell your own expertise here are five online marketplaces you can turn to: Elance: Reportedly you can access over 2 million skilled freelancers and find freelance jobs from around the world. It’s free to join, post jobs, and review the candidates. Elance adds an 8.75% fee to the bid. Note: Elance is now an Upwork company. https://www.elance.com/. Fiverr: I’ve been a big fan of Fiverr since Tim Reid of Small Business Big Marketing had a period where he kept raving about it. I’ve personally used it for audio, and design work. Essentially the basic gigs are supposed to cost $5, but once you have additional requirements you may find you are paying a bit more – but it’s still excellent value. Use this link to get a free gig on Fiverr https://www.fiverr.com/s2/0fcdc90a45 Freelancer is an Australian company, founded by Matt Barrie. I was a member for a long time, but never really used it. Today looking at the site for this article – it looks slick! https://www.freelancer.com.au/ (AL) Gigster is specifically for hiring a development team of product managers and software developers. Fancy co-ordinating the development of an app?!? https://www.trygigster.com/ Upwork: Elance and Odesk combined to become Upwork. Elance still has its own website and it seems to be suggesting it’s more geared towards larger virtual teams. I’ve been using Odesk which morphed into an Upwork site since 2009 for web design projects and research projects. https://www.upwork.com Australian outsourcing expert James Shranko suggests once you’ve found an expert you work well with, navigate working with the virtual resource directly rather than through a website matcher. I’m a big fan a using experts for specific tasks and jobs. I also like the opportunity to put money into the hands of female workers in developing countries. I think it gives them the opportunity to be independent, and help with the education of their children. I would rather give someone money for using their brain, then give them a handout, if it’s possible. Of course charity does have its place. Do you outsource tasks to virtual support?

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/08/03/how-outsourcing-can-save-the-world-5-sites-for-finding-virtual-experts/feed/017 Top Travel Tips for visiting Stanthorpehttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/07/17/17-dos-and-donts-for-visiting-stanthorpe/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/07/17/17-dos-and-donts-for-visiting-stanthorpe/#respondFri, 17 Jul 2015 13:14:12 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=6141I’ve been dreaming of going back to Stanthorpe after a brief day trip there many years ago, with Filippo’s wine tours. He must have been building his website at the time, because we were trailed by a photographer and our day featured on his website for many years to come. We’re no longer on the site… but it was kind of funny. We visited Stanthorpe in July 2015. It was cold. • Do plan to visit the local wineries. There are lots dotted all over the area. We found the Internet a bit patchy, and we found the tourist maps confusing, and while the wineries said they would be open on set days at set times they weren’t. So we ended up doing a lot of wasted driving which was a little frustrating. Some pre-planning may have ensured a better use of our time. You could visit www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au The scenery was beautiful and maybe if we were on a tour, we would have not wasted time. • Don’t pack the car too tightly on your trip. You want to make sure you have some extra space, so you have enough room to buy some wine to take home with you! • Do try the Strange Bird Wines. They are an ‘alternative’ wine and to achieve that definition they must represent no more than 1% of the total bearing wines in Australia – so you’ll definitely try something you may not have tried before. • Do go to Jester Hill Wines, 292 Mt Stirling Road, Glen Aplin as this was the only winery we actually found open in the three days we were there! The Rose was lovely drop. • Do listen to Peter Allen’s Tenterfield Saddler on your journey there. Peter’s grandfather George Woolnough was a saddle maker in the town of Tenterfield, about an hour south of Stanthorpe. The saddle shop he worked at from 1908 to 1960 is now a museum on the High Street of Tenterfield. • Do visit Mt Stirling Olives and buy some olives grown on the land, and say hi to their gorgeous beagle. • Do stop at Suttons Juice Factory and Café and try their apple pie. They make it the way apple pies should be made, full of delicious Stanthorpe grown apples, and served with ice-cream. Also buy their cider and apple juice! • Do go to the Granite Belt Maze and Mini-Golf if you’ve got kids. Ours our teens so they went in while we rested in the car. I thought it was a bit expensive for the whole family to go in. We could peak over the fence and talk to them while they were in there and they were happy about that. • Do visit the Jamworks of Glen Aplin. Lots of home-made jams and chutneys and the most enormous marshmallows you’ve ever seen! Secret: they get the marshmallows from cosco. Ask the owners about planes – they have lots of plane stories to share 🙂 • Do visit the Jersey Girls Café at Stanthorpe Cheese and share a platter. We had one between the four of us and it was ample – though we found the bread batons a bit too big and doughy, and I looked away for a second, and my son pulled all the dough out of them, and just left the crisp outer bits. We had so much left over we packed up the left overs and ate them latter that evening. • Do stop at the Brass Monkey Brew House and try some of their boutique handcrafted beers. Beers not really my thing, but the place was welcoming and they had a cute puppy. In fact a lot of the places in Stanthorpe had dogs – which were lovely. • Do check out the produce calendar and try Stanthorpe’s in seasonal produce. • Don’t visit the shop beside the big apple – it’s really expensive – a sucker trap for tourists. • Do pack your walking boots and venture down to Girraween National Park. In fact try and go there every morning of your stay, and venture on a different walk – it’s beautiful and rocky and we did see a troop of kangaroos. What more could you want. • Do stay at the Sommerville Valley Tourist Park at Storm King. We stayed in one of their three bedroom apartments. It was an absolutely gorgeous location looking over the dam. There were rabbits all over the place (be careful of the rabbit holes) and a camp fire pit at the front of our cabin. We also had a fire place in the cabin – and we stayed there three weeks before the famous week it snowed in 2015 – so it was very cold. Do buy your firewood from the garage – it’s cheap there! Do buy lots of apples so you can make apple pie when you get home, and remember your time in Stanthorpe. I can’t believe it snowed in Stanthorpe three weeks after we visited. I’d definitely stay at Sommerville Valley Tourist Park and spend longer hiking in Girraween National Park and I’d also ensure I had extra room in the car to bring home cartons of wines! Stanthorpe is 2 hours and 40 minutes south west of Brisbane Airport and 3 hours and 15 minutes south west of the Gold Coast Airport. Of course you can fly with the lovely people at Virgin Australia from anywhere in Australia, to one of these airports, and hire a car, and take a quick trip down to Stanthorpe. Disclosure: This trip was entirely funded out of my own pocket, and is part of a entry into Top Travel Tips competition with Virgin Australia #PBEvent @VirginAustralia Three weeks after we visited it snowed!! Here was one of the photos on social media – oops I do not know who to credit it too – but it is so QLDer.

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/07/17/17-dos-and-donts-for-visiting-stanthorpe/feed/0Content writing about cloud inventory solutions: TradeGeckohttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/05/20/guest-post-tradegecko/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/05/20/guest-post-tradegecko/#respondWed, 20 May 2015 00:24:51 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=6080I’m a regular guest on the TradeGecko blog producing intelligent, contemporary articles on inventory, that assist accountants and bookkeepers adopt easy strategies for increasing their income while supporting the inventory function of their client. In addition to writing these articles, I promote them via social media platforms, and drop links into relevant forum conversations. Useable information enhances the brand awareness and reputation. TradeGecko is a cloud based inventory management solution that works seamlessly with Xero. Based in Singapore, the company was founded by a trio of Kiwi brothers and has recently secured significant funding, so prepare for new features and improvements in the pipeline. You also may recall I interviewed the CEO and co-founder of TradeGecko, Cameron Priest on the Cloud Stories podcast; it’s episode nine, you can click here to subscribe and listen. Here’s a list of the articles I’ve written for TradeGecko – click through to read them: What does Xero’s Tracked Inventory mean for add-on inventory solutions? Xero Inventory Management vs TradeGecko Inventory Software Australian EOFY Keep your inventory updated with stocktakes. How to calculate inventory ratios and KPIs: 5 easy formulas to start using now 9 Key signs that it’s time to move to a robust inventory management system 15 inventory management techniques that will transform your business How to optimise inventory turnover:9 tips Strategic conversations accountants and bookkeepers can have with their clients about inventory. What accountants aren’t (and should be) asking small business clients about their inventory management procedures Wholesale apparel pricing: 3 tips to set the right price 6 tips from Xero advisors on preparing for 2016 Blogging with TradeGecko, is an opportunity to educate the Xero community about add-on solutions available in the Xero marketplace, and encourage the adoption of add-ons as part of a complete cloud business platform. Automating processes, minimising data entry, freeing up time and saving money are just some of the benefits small business owners are recognising when they adopt an integrated cloud solution. Implementing suitable cloud solutions improves lives as people can access up-to-date real time data anytime, anywhere they can access the Internet, so they’re no longer tied to the office, or drowning in mundane repetitive tasks. Instead they’re freed up to build and manage their business, or spend some quality time with their family and friends. I encourage you to subscribe to the TradeGecko blog, share the posts with those you think may benefit from them, such as your colleagues, small business owners and clients. It would be sensational if you could leave any comments or questions at the base of the posts on the TradeGecko blog and if you have any relevant topics you’d be keen for me to tackle, just let me know.

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/05/16/video-xero-payroll-training/feed/0Here is how I prefer images are uploaded to my website.http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/05/09/here-is-how-i-prefer-images-are-uploaded-to-my-website/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/05/09/here-is-how-i-prefer-images-are-uploaded-to-my-website/#respondSat, 09 May 2015 11:00:52 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=6002Instructions suitable for a VA. Note: The title on the icon – should be the same as the name of the blog post. Access the administrator part of the wordpress website. On the left menu bar click on the word Posts and then on the pop out menu click on all posts.You should now see the lists of posts. On the top right corner is the search box, enter the name of the image, click Search and you should find the post. Hover over the post name, and the hyperlink Edit will pop up underneath, click on Edit, to Edit the post. I like the image to be inserted in two areas: Go to the main body of the post; click the cursor on the left of the very first letter. Then click the Add Media button, just above. Select the image. For Alignment select Right For Size select Medium. Click the button on the bottom right that says Insert into post. Scroll down the page to the ‘Featured Image’ on the bottom right. If there is on there, remove the featured image, by selecting ‘Remove featured image’. Then click the hyperlink ‘Set featured image’ and select the image you are using, and click the green button Set featured image. Scroll to the top and click the green button labelled Update. Check that it has published OK. Let me know if you have trouble with these steps – or you’d like me to add screen shots.

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/05/09/here-is-how-i-prefer-images-are-uploaded-to-my-website/feed/0Even a klutz can create elegant images using Canvahttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/05/09/even-a-klutz-can-create-elegant-images-using-canva/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/05/09/even-a-klutz-can-create-elegant-images-using-canva/#commentsSat, 09 May 2015 09:28:22 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=5995I needed some images created to go with my blog articles. Here’s an example of what I created using Canva – a free graphic design tool website: I like this style of image because: I own the copyright on it – so have no heart pumping concerns about using it. It’s crisp and clear yet really lightweight – so none of the sites I share it to get too stressed. It works well across many social media streams The benefit of using an image like this is: It’s eye catching. It quickly explains what topic it’s covering across all mediums Visual people love it, and non-visual people are OK with it. What do you think? Do you like it? Here are my instructions for creating and image for MY blog articles: Go to https://www.canva.com/ and set up an account, it is free. On the top right, click where it says ‘Use custom dimensions’ and enter the following:width = 260 height = 150 mm = Enter mm first, as it overrides the numbers if you enter them first then select mm. Click the green button labelled Design! On the left menu bar click BKGROUND and select one of the colour dots (I prefer a simple background, and I don’t want a patterned background). I created an image of myself with the words Heather Smith slashed across it. The first time I used it I dragged the image across into CANVA. Once you’ve done this once you won’t need to do it again. Position the image at the bottom right corner of the rectangle, very neatly. Use the arrow keys, if you just need to move it a tiny bit. I want the image (logo) always in the same position – and to look very neat. [If you get disorientated in Canva and need to find the image again – on the left menu bar click UPLOADS, and you should see it] On the left menu bar click TEXT options – I am happy to choose something different/interesting each time – but it MUST be readable. I sometimes play around and make the text bigger. I drag it upwards to the top, so the text is not over the image. My preference is to choose from the primary colours Canva has on display [black, green, blue, orange, red, yellow, white]. Choose a text colour contrasts against the background – so the final image is easy to read. Once satisfied with the image, go to the top right menu bar and click the Download button, and at the drop down option, select As an image. Wait a few moments, and it will appear in your Downloads folder. Hurrah! The image is now ready to use. All the images download to the download folder, but I suggest maintaining a folder in DROPBOX and transferring them there – so they can be shared with the virtual marketing team. Let me know if you found this useful and if you need any further explanation of screen shots of how to do this.

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/05/09/even-a-klutz-can-create-elegant-images-using-canva/feed/2Lessons learnt from the film BoyChoirhttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/04/27/lessons-learnt-from-the-film-boychoir/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/04/27/lessons-learnt-from-the-film-boychoir/#respondMon, 27 Apr 2015 00:00:32 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=5931I was lucky enough to attend a preview screening of Boy Choir at Palace Centro. Before the movie started we visited Tinderbox for dinner and enjoyed an amazing cauliflower salad and artichoke pizza to die for. We will definitely be back. #Tinderbox before #PalaceCentro #ChoirBoys A photo posted by Heather Smith (@heathersmithau) on Apr 21, 2015 at 12:58am PDT BoyChoir has an stellar ensemble. Everyone is talented, and can act, so you’d expect a superior film. Unfortunately though — the storyline was more sugary sweet than a Disney movie. If it dropped down a bit from its serious level, it could have been quite a funny movie. If the story was believable and stepped it up a notch, it could have been another Billy Elliot. Instead it was a cliché catastrophe. Yikes! Dustin Hoffman — Tootise you were supreme. You came to the movie set and delivered a mesmerising, faultless performance. Every scene you were in WAS believable. However mate – was it realistic that headmistress Ms Steel was going to push her student ‘a troubled and angry boy’ into a career that was only lasted a few years ‘until his voice broke?’. Seriously? Lesson Learnt: a few talented people cannot carry the team across the finish line, everyone has to work together, delivering the highest level of quality and professionalism. Kevin McHale — I love you! As Wooly (stupid name) you delivered a warm supportive character. Bit disappointing there was no singing or razzamatazz — but you can walk! It’s a miracle. I’m pleased you’ve bounced from Glee into a comfortable role. Next role I think you’ll need to stretch yourself a little more & we all know you’ve got it in you! Lesson Learnt: viewers like clients like the comfort of consistency. Don’t feel like you need to keep changing and improving your offerings. It’s OK to refine your offerings – but why does Australia Post keep trying to sell me overseas money orders, or set-up digital mail boxes. I want Australia Post to take my mail and deliver it securely, at a reasonable price, in a timely manner. Just give me what I want and I’ll be happy. Debra Winger — long-time no see; I spent most of the movie thinking you were Joan Cusack reminiscent of her role in with Jack Black in School of Rock. I love that movie and can watch it repeatedly. Debra I think a lot of the implausible plot centred around your character – and as a creative you’ve got to fight for quality. Maybe you thought well the rest of the team is so accomplished – my part must be OK. But it wasn’t. Maybe you could have sat down with the writer over a glass of Chardonnay and brainstormed how you were going to get Stet into the American Boys Choir – because the route you took laid a flimsy foundation for the movie. Lesson Learnt: take responsibility for your own area and your own delivery. Deliver the highest quality you can, and if people stand in your way — you need to take stock and strategize how to involve other people in the ownership of delivery. Talk, share stories, mind map, show them better options – it is time consuming but will be worth it in the end. Josh Lucas — what were you thinking? Seriously mate — was there anything conceivably believable about your character? You’re a mega rich hunk with a photo shopped beautiful family and you reject your own gifted son. What part of that was believable? I get that it must have been exciting to be in a film with Dustin Hoffman and maybe you’d have happily taken any role. But mate you did Red Dog – remember that awesome lovable film. Even though it was a true story it was completely unbelievable – but you owned it and you delivered it. You could have been the bow on top of this film, you could have wrapped it all up, but instead it was left wanting. Step up mate. Lesson Learnt: never think your contribution to the whole story is not important. Don’t let me stop you seeing this movie. I did learn about the strange world of boy choirs, and I did shed a tear or too. The movie in general has been well received – so hopefully you’ll like it. If you saw Boy Choir what did you think?

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/04/27/lessons-learnt-from-the-film-boychoir/feed/0What to say when someone comments on your amazing hair transformationhttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/04/19/flavr-east-brisbane-hairdresser/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/04/19/flavr-east-brisbane-hairdresser/#respondSun, 19 Apr 2015 10:30:46 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=5918My daughter’s just had the most amazing hair-cut – you can read about it below. Being a very prepared teenager she’s lined up what she’s going to say when someone comments on her new short haircut – here are some suggested responses: • I am currently mastering the hair flick • It got stuck in one too many Dreamworld rides • I played an intense game of truth or dare • I had extensions • It was a wig • I’ve Benjamin Button disease • Last time I am putting my hair in the washing machine • I have been watching one too many anime • Apparently I’m not worth it And my favourite: – Apparently you can only whip your hair back and forth so much. I’ve been visiting Flavr Hair Studio in East Brisbane for over a decade. Lizzie and her team are full of life, up with the latest trends, and focused on working with the client to get the best haircut. I like going there because many of the team have been with her since I started going. Their are several hairdressers there who cut my daughters hair when she was only three years old! Everyone tells me she is great to work for and they love working their. I talk to so many small businesses and I know retaining excellent staff is an amazing achievement and makes my life as a client so much easier cause I have so much consistency when I am dealing with them. Last week, my amazing daughter, had a massive hair cut at Flavr Hair Studio – she’s donating her locks to Princess Charlotte Alopecia program Here is what her hair looks like before the big cut Before #FlavrHairStudio #EastBrisbane #Brisbane Big cut about to happen! Hair to be donated to charity A photo posted by Heather Smith (@heathersmithau) on Apr 17, 2015 at 8:32pm PDT Here’s what her hair looked like after the big cut. She looked amazing! And it went so dark, all her features went from golden to dark. Right after the big cut #FlavrHairStudio #EastBrisbane #Brisbane Big cut! Hair to be donated to charity A photo posted by Heather Smith (@heathersmithau) on Apr 17, 2015 at 8:33pm PDT This is how much she had cut off and here is her certificate- so proud of her!! I also had a haircut and a special keratin treatment which straightens your hair at Flavr Hair Studio – you can read about it in the postings below. They told me that it will save me so much time, because it will be so easy to manage. I’d never factored in a hair-cut into time management strategies – boy those bald people have it over us! You may also be interested to know that is my real hair colour – it’s hundreds of different coloured strains ranging from white to dark brown – isn’t nature funny when left alone! Before #SmoothHair #FlavrHairStudio #EastBrisbane #Brisbane #Keratin #treatment #KeratinTreatment A photo posted by Heather Smith (@heathersmithau) on Apr 17, 2015 at 8:28pm PDT The treatment #SmoothHair #FlavrHairStudio #EastBrisbane #Brisbane #Keratin #treatment #KeratinTreatment A photo posted by Heather Smith (@heathersmithau) on Apr 17, 2015 at 8:29pm PDT The straightening #SmoothHair #FlavrHairStudio #EastBrisbane #Brisbane #Keratin #treatment #KeratinTreatment A photo posted by Heather Smith (@heathersmithau) on Apr 17, 2015 at 8:29pm PDT Final result! What do you think??#SmoothHair #FlavrHairStudio #EastBrisbane #Brisbane #Keratin #treatment #KeratinTreatment A photo posted by Heather Smith (@heathersmithau) on Apr 17, 2015 at 8:30pm PDT

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/04/19/flavr-east-brisbane-hairdresser/feed/0Offer up the office ping pong tables to the competitive jigsaw players and unleash the introverts!http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/04/19/offer-up-the-office-ping-pong-tables-to-the-competitive-jigsaw-players-and-unleash-the-introverts/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/04/19/offer-up-the-office-ping-pong-tables-to-the-competitive-jigsaw-players-and-unleash-the-introverts/#respondSun, 19 Apr 2015 06:03:52 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=5911Do you like jigsaw puzzles? I wrote about our family tradition for doing puzzles at Christmas times in Xero for Dummies. The competitive jigsaw players will stay up all night at our family functions to complete a jigsaw. Its serious stuff! We only ever do jigsaws designed by Ray Cresswell, you can google them, or try ozgemtoys. You can see the collection of jigsaw available (but don’t seem to be able to directly buy them from there) at The House of Puzzles. I gave my daughter the jigsaw below for her birthday. Its called Corner Shop and she set her self up at the start of the Easter holidays and took about three days to complete it. And she’s super proud of it. The act of completing a jigsaw is a very focused form of relaxation. You pick up one piece study the box study and where it could possible be placed, and get these tiny wins, as you finish the outside and work your way into complete the picture. Puzzle meditation, forcing you to think about something else. I know my daughter really needs these quite introspective activities to bring her down and level her from the busyness that occurs during the school term. I realise jigsaws are not for everyone. Some people need immediate gratification and can’t sit still and focus enough to achieve the small win it takes to find where one piece of the puzzle goes. I also find when we undertake the jigsaws with the family – it’s a large gathering of around fifty people ranging from babies to great great grandparents – people will wander in – complete some of the puzzle and wander out. Everyone can contribute and whether you’ve sat there for four hours or four minutes placing a single piece is an equivalent win. Partaking in completing the jigsaw is an opportunity to talk – to converse for long periods of time. And that’s nice to do in a family – because sometimes Christmas gatherings can be so hectic – your peeling spuds, or making sure kids are safe, or tidying, you don’t get a chance to have a conversation with everyone. I know a lot of funky businesses have ping pong tables, pinball machines and social areas. Though I wonder how many have a place for jigsaws? It actually seems like a solid activity to have a brain storm over – and at around $50 a lot cheaper than a retreat! To pull people out of their normal activities, and give them some thinking space, some quite space, some meditative space. It also gives the introverts a space to just be. I guess ping pong tables, or coffee tables are an ideal area for a jigsaw, so its something an office could easily adapt…. When talking to clients about a business implementation, or something new they need to learn, I will frequently use a jigsaw analogy – let’s break it down into smaller pieces – and do it one piece at a time. If it still seems overwhelming – break it down into even smaller pieces, and write them down on a paper or a white board, or use Trello, and cross off everything you complete – I encourage them (and you!) to be proud of the small wins. Have you ever seen a jigsaw area in a business? Do you like completing jigsaws? This is the puzzle we did last Christmas – Dawn Chorus – it was so hard – so many shades of green!

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/04/19/offer-up-the-office-ping-pong-tables-to-the-competitive-jigsaw-players-and-unleash-the-introverts/feed/05 things you need to know about the Debtor Tracking solution Satagohttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/04/13/5-things-you-need-to-know-about-satago/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/04/13/5-things-you-need-to-know-about-satago/#commentsMon, 13 Apr 2015 04:29:56 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=5888There are a number of Debtor Tracking solutions that connect beautifully with Xero. I’m gradually working my way around testing all of them. Satago came across my radar when Steven Renwick was letting people know he was coming out for Sydney Xerocon – and had free blue sunnies to give away. These sunnies are now a must have item for Xero fans !! I also interviewed Steven Renwick the CEO and co-founder of Satago on my Cloud Stories podcast called Cloud Stories – you can read it here and listen to it by subscribing here. Here are the 5 things you need to know about Satago Satago has partnered with Experian a company that provides UK credit reports. If you’re dealing with businesses in the UK then you should sign up to Satago for this reason alone! The summary reports are powerful insights into whether you should be cautious about doing business with new or existing clients. Here’s an example of the summary report you can access — notice the credit rating, the credit limit details, and other insights. If you need further details – say you were entering into a significant venture with a client – you can step it up and buy complete credit reports from Experian. This is the only debt chasing solution I know that does this. Satago has support features embedded within the software — and respond quickly to queries. Satago includes the option to define an “escalation email address” which means escalation emails can go to a different address, than the initial reminder emails went to. Satago offers a free, single user plan that lets you chase up to 10 invoices and connect to cloud software — if you needed another reason to sign up and test it out! Satago gives you the opportunity to choose the ‘Days’ you send out the reminders. Personally I think it is impolite to send out business emails outside normal working hours, so this is a must have feature for me. As you’ve probably realise Satago is based in the UK, and subscription pricing is in sterling. With a fluctuating currency this is something to be aware of, whenever you’re committing to an overseas solution. Steven told me they did start charging in different currencies – but ran into some problems and he write about it here. When you are choosing a debt tracking solution – I think you need to ask them – how often do you check Xero and update your records. Satago do this once every 24 hours. Of course a high frequency is most desirable. One little thing I really did not like about Satago, was that it created new email address for all my clients – yes this does sound odd – and it is odd – and it also messed up my Outlook email memory. Let’s see if I can explain this. Jane Smith, may have an email that is Jane@Gmail.com, but once she was being emailed from Satago, it would change it to something like <813.###29@mail.satago.com> (where the # represent numbers). So then in Outlook when I typed in Jane, it would pop up with a number of email addresses fro start auto suggesting two email addresses for her. Obviously that is something to do with how Satago works. It is not a deal breaker, but I did not like it. You can find out more about Satago here : https://www.satago.com/ https://twitter.com/satagonet https://www.facebook.com/satagoltd 5 things you need to know about Satago http://ow.ly/Lw2gx #1. Satago has partnered with Experian a company that provides UK credit reports. If you’re dealing with businesses in the UK then you should sign up to Satago for this reason alone! The summary reports are powerful insights into whether you should be cautious about doing business with new or existing clients. #Cloud @satagonet @Xero #Xero #accounting #Bookkeeping #DebtChasing #Debt #AccountsReceivable A photo posted by Heather Smith (@heathersmithau) on Apr 12, 2015 at 9:36pm PDT 5 things you need to know about Satago http://ow.ly/Lw2gx #2. Satago has support features embedded within the software — and respond quickly to queries. #Cloud @satagonet @Xero #Xero #accounting #Bookkeeping #DebtChasing #Debt #AccountsReceivable A photo posted by Heather Smith (@heathersmithau) on Apr 12, 2015 at 9:37pm PDT 5 things you need to know about Satago http://ow.ly/Lw2gx #3. Satago includes the option to define an “escalation email address” which means escalation emails can go to a different address, than the initial reminder emails went to. This is the only debt chasing solution I know that does this. #Cloud @satagonet @Xero #Xero #accounting #Bookkeeping #DebtChasing #Debt #AccountsReceivable A photo posted by Heather Smith (@heathersmithau) on Apr 12, 2015 at 9:38pm PDT 5 things you need to know about Satago http://ow.ly/Lw2gx #4. Satago offers a free, single user plan that lets you chase up to 10 invoices and connect to cloud software — if you needed another reason to sign up and test it out! #Cloud @satagonet @Xero #Xero #accounting #Bookkeeping #DebtChasing #Debt #AccountsReceivable A photo posted by Heather Smith (@heathersmithau) on Apr 12, 2015 at 9:38pm PDT 5 things you need to know about Satago http://ow.ly/Lw2gx #5. Satago gives you the opportunity to choose the ‘Days’ you send out the reminders. Personally I think it is impolite to send out business emails outside normal working hours, so this is a must have feature for me. #Cloud @satagonet @Xero #Xero #accounting #Bookkeeping #DebtChasing #Debt #AccountsReceivable A photo posted by Heather Smith (@heathersmithau) on Apr 12, 2015 at 9:39pm PDT

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/04/13/5-things-you-need-to-know-about-satago/feed/1Bulimba Mani Pedihttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/04/12/bulimba-mani-pedi/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/04/12/bulimba-mani-pedi/#respondSun, 12 Apr 2015 07:37:53 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=5871Any sort of grooming treatment involving someone else freaks me out a little. I am not sure how involved I need to be or whether I should just ignore it and let it happen. Last week I went for a mani pedi at Touch of Grace Nail and Beauty Salon, Shop 2/142 Oxford Street. Bulimba, Qld 4171 just west of the Oxford 152 pub. I’ve been before – it’s been there five years and its now my regular! The staff and ambience are always very pleasant. This visit around I sat back, wrote blog posts, and let them get on with it. Hopefully productive use of my time… The salon does SHELLAC nails as opposed to GEL nails. In the past I have had gel nails – and it was an amazing experience to have your nails not chip for an extended period of time. They would look so professional and I’d find myself admiring them frequently. So now I am visiting a beautician who prefers SHELLAC. I don’t like the sound of the word SHELLAC – it sounds a bit violent? But the treatment was very much the same as gel nails, and my nails did not seem as damaged when it was removed – but I do need to focus on upping my calcium to help them grow a bit longer. I normally choose French nails manicure – that is white tips and a clear base. But now, perhaps because my hair is grey, I’m happy to grab a brighter colour – this time was CND Shellac TROPIX. Now it’s on, I would prefer a pinker or an orangier colour – but it’s not permanent so I can live with my coloured fingers dancing on the keyboards for a few weeks. My mani lasts about three weeks and my pedi lasts until my nails grow out. Touch of Grace Nail and Beauty Salon, Shop 2/142 Oxford Street Bulimba, Qld 4171 #ManiPedi #Mani #Pedi #Shellac #CND #Tropix #OxfordSt #OxfordStreet #Bulimba #Brisbane A photo posted by Heather Smith (@heathersmithau) on Apr 12, 2015 at 12:20am PDT I talked to the beautician about cloud solutions; she remarked while she thought they sounded like a good idea — she found it very hard to remember passwords. Is remembering passwords something you ever have an issue with? Personally I use LastPass to help me remember all my passwords. I log into LastPass every morning, and it then allows me to log into the other solutions such as Xero automatically. You can read this posting and watch this video that explains it: http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/07/07/tips-optimise-working-browsers-using-xero/ You can see photos are much prettier with manicured nails. Coconut Quinoa Bircher @mooseandgibson #Woolloongabba #nightlife #brisbane A photo posted by Heather Smith (@heathersmithau) on Apr 10, 2015 at 1:55am PDT

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/04/12/bulimba-mani-pedi/feed/0Brisbane Private Function Room Hirehttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/04/12/brisbane-private-function-room-hire/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/04/12/brisbane-private-function-room-hire/#respondSun, 12 Apr 2015 05:33:05 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=5858On Friday evening I was a guest of Moose and Gibson – a cafe and private function room hire venue. Honestly I did not even know the place existed, but when I mentioned I was there foodie @Tiffinbitesized tweeted @HeatherSmithAU love Moose & Gibson. Lots of fun! — Fiona Ryan (@TIFFINbitesized) April 10, 2015 That sounds good hey! I took a look at the venue on social media and they have an active Instagram account, lots of positive vibes, colourful yummy food, and they seem dog friendly – a big plus. 77 Jurgen Street enjoying the nightlife @mooseandgibson #Woolloongabba #nightlife #brisbane A photo posted by Heather Smith (@heathersmithau) on Apr 10, 2015 at 1:43am PDT Jurgens Street runs perpendicular to Balaclava Street and the set of restaurants on Logan Rd (featuring Pearl Café). The area is turning into a foodies heaven, with Moose and Gibson have found themselves a large location, on a quiet street with plenty of available parking. Sweet! I reckon you could do a nice pub crawl between the venues on Logan Road, Moose and Gibson and the Brews Brothers microbrewery on 31 Wellington Street. Moose and Gibson has a ranch theme running through the décor. A John Wayne movie played on the wall above the bar, a large antler chandelier hung from the high ceiling, and above the kitchen, perhaps in what could be described as the attic, a talented musician entertained us. Antler lights @mooseandgibson #Woolloongabba #nightlife #brisbane A photo posted by Heather Smith (@heathersmithau) on Apr 10, 2015 at 1:44am PDT Moose and Gibson have recently renovated and now have a large space available to for function hire. I think you could easily fit 50 people in the venue and it opens up onto a quiet street – so perfectly contained for a private function. I sampled the Coconut Quinoa Bircher and my husband sampled the Black Pudding and Parmesan Croquette with paprika aioli from the new Winter menu. We also tried the sliders from the Function menu and they were the best sliders we’ve ever eaten! Totally Moorish and highly recommendable. For the function we attended delicious wine, beer and champagne was on offer – which I assume would be on offer if you had a private function there. I stuck to the white chardonnay. Brisbane’s best slider ever. @mooseandgibson #Woolloongabba #nightlife #brisbane A photo posted by Heather Smith (@heathersmithau) on Apr 10, 2015 at 3:10am PDT I was able to chat with the operations manager who said they ran three cafes in Brisbane. He explained that for rostering staff they used the cloud based solution GoRoster. He loved this solution and thought it saved him a considerable amount of time and hassle. He could create a roster, send it out to staff, and they accepted it into their calendar, or rejected it, and he knew he had a gap. For point of sale they use the cloud solution iMpos. The waiter uses small iPads to take orders, and they are fed back to the relevant area – be it drinks or foods. You can see from the image below the screen is super easy to use, simplifying and expediting the order process. It’s immensely satisfying to see businesses moving their operations to cloud solutions and recognising efficiency benefits. We decided to leave the car parked overnight and used an Uber taxi to get home. I am a big fan of Uber – the alternative taxi service. You might be interested to view my invoice from the trip – notice how detailed it is – the name of the driver the pick-up and drop off time, the route taken and the final amount charged to my card. This is all achieved by me simply clicking a button on my iPhone Uber app and booking a car. I’m then notified the license plate number and the name of the driver and his ratings. If a drivers ratings drop below four star I’ve heard they are dropped off the service. The drivers have their own ABN’s so some may have GST on their invoice and some may not be registered for GST – so you want be charged it. As soon as the booking is made – there is a record of who you’re driver is – so if you have security concerns – you’ll be happy to know that is recorded up front. Then the invoice and record of the trip is emailed to me, and if it’s a business expense I forward it to Receipt Bank which extracts the data and pushes the details into Xero – my beautiful online accounting solution. The expense then sits as a bill waiting to be reconciled against the bank data that feeds in. We came back the next morning to pick up the car and planned to try the Moose and Gibson breakfast menu – and the venue was chockers! You’ve been warned – get in early if you want breakfast at Moose and Gibson it’s a popular venue. Connect with Moose and Gibson here http://mooseandgibson.com/ https://www.facebook.com/MooseandGibson https://instagram.com/mooseandgibson

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/04/12/brisbane-private-function-room-hire/feed/0Training Videos to help you educate and empower the Xero communityhttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/03/28/training-videos-to-help-you-educate-and-empower-the-xero-community/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/03/28/training-videos-to-help-you-educate-and-empower-the-xero-community/#commentsSat, 28 Mar 2015 12:51:00 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=5843I’m excited to let you know I’ve been working with the phenomenal Xero U team – to produce educational videos. Drawing on my inner Steven Spielberg I’ve been writing scripts, recording audio and capturing screen demonstrations. Then I package it up and the extraordinary team at Xero U take my creation and magically tweak it till a beautiful Xero training video appears online at Xero U. If you’ve experienced my work — you’ll know I’m a straight talker who crams content and insights into every nook and cranny. Over the last fifteen years I’ve taught small business accounting systems face to face to over 1000 people; university students, the long term unemployed, small business owners, staff, accountants, bookkeepers — and many with a case of the highly contagious Arithmophobia — fear of numbers. This experience combined with way to many accounting qualifications, a decade of consulting, and thirty-two years of learning and working in this space means I know what works. I know how to explain this subject to anyone who wants to listen, or watch videos, or read books… I love to learn and I think everyone will learn something from these videos — even the beginner topics may shine a light on a new area for you — enhancing your understanding and ability to work and consult in this area. I suggest you set up a daily calendar reminder — and put aside fifteen minutes every day to watch another video from Xero U and learn about small business accounting, cloud technology and Xero. Some of them are short — so importantly you’ll also have time to catch up with the latest viral cat video. Some of them are longer — so brew a pot of English tea, settle in, relax and learn! A cat video for your entertainment. If you find yourself needing to explain these topics to your clients – listen to the videos and use the words and phrases to assist you. Or better still suggest to your clients they watch these videos. Link to the videos from your website, drip feed them through your newsletter — be a champion and educate and empowering the Xero community. I’m not here to make a living I’m here to make a difference pic.twitter.com/gJq4ov5dZL — Lisa Martin (@GoFi8ure) March 11, 2015 I absolutely love the opportunity to create these videos and share them with the Xero community. You can watch them all here: https://www.xero.com/training/ or click on the blocks below to see the ones I’ve created: This is about YOU so if there’s training you’d like to see developed via these videos — let me know via the comments below. If you LOVE LOVE LOVE watching the videos — fill out the feedback at the end of the show and let the Xero U team know why you love them!

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2015/03/28/training-videos-to-help-you-educate-and-empower-the-xero-community/feed/3Writing opportunitieshttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/11/02/writing-opportunities/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/11/02/writing-opportunities/#respondSun, 02 Nov 2014 06:11:50 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=5687If you’re a blogger with a speciality, you might want to consider listing yourself on https://www.sidekicker.com.au/ https://www.odesk.com/ https://www.elance.com/ I spoke with a friend at a local PR firm, and she said they had a budget of $750 per 350 word blog post for someone with “a unique business expertise”. She said the first place they looked was the above mentioned sites. I was stunned. But she said they were looking for expertise, not just copy. That jobs gone – but if you put it might be a useful resource for you?

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/11/02/writing-opportunities/feed/0Analysis of the Xero International Add-On Market Placehttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/09/08/analysis-xero-international-add-market-place/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/09/08/analysis-xero-international-add-market-place/#commentsMon, 08 Sep 2014 06:25:35 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=5656Xero add-ons are kind of like apps for your iPhone. The add-ons plugs into Xero extending the functionality of the cloud based business solution. In this simple analysis, I counted the number of available solutions, by both Industry and Category across the counties Xero is offered in. Note: You used to be able to filter by Global, but I am not sure how to do that with the new look Market Place options. The final column is the average number of solutions available (total solutions divided by 4). The listing is sorted from largest to smallest, the line with the most number of add-ons appearing at the top. I then took the information and created a visual representation of the data using a word cloud here http://www.wordle.net/create; The larger the word, the more add-ons in that line. As a writer it gives me an idea of what areas are popular enough to warrant an add-on solution. As a developer, it clearly shows areas that are already crowded and maybe highlights untapped opportunities. As a cloud integrator, maybe this information can assist you in defining your niche. If for example you work with job orientated businesses, it is impossible to know all of the 67 available solutions, you must specialise in only a few. You may also consider specialising in some of the less crowded spaces and become the niche go to guru in them. In particular I think the education space would be a neat one to focus on, as each integration would be quite significant. Access the Xero add-on market place here https://www.xero.com/add-ons/ How can you use this data in your business plans?

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/09/08/analysis-xero-international-add-market-place/feed/2Problogger 2014http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/09/01/problogger-2014/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/09/01/problogger-2014/#commentsMon, 01 Sep 2014 05:36:22 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=56412014 Problogger event has just been held at the simply divine QT Hotels and I was there in spirit, watching the conference unfold over social media. Though everyone’s probably glad that I was not there as I’ve a horrible bout of bronchitis 🙁 Here’s a collection of tweets that caught my eye from the conference: TECHNICAL The @planningqueen Nicole Avery shared information on How to test your site speed. Resources to test your blog’s speed from the @thewebprincess including http://t.co/u2PL6CAujF #pbevent pic.twitter.com/y1JLdFcReo — Nicole Avery (@planningqueen) August 29, 2014 I used Jezrel Jane Himbing who you can find on ODESK and she massively improved the speed of my website. Yes I believe speed is critical to usability. Nicole also shared: http://t.co/aKqt9NfjZ3 lets you know what the first time user experience of your blog #pbevent — Nicole Avery (@planningqueen) August 29, 2014 The @HunterBoyle Hunter Boyle (Senior Business Development Manager at AWEBER) shared this about Pinterest Wow, cool @Pinterest tactics and results from @HerPackingList (swipe these!) #pbevent pic.twitter.com/2B5TREz5Qa — Hunter Boyle (@hunterboyle) August 29, 2014 I understand SEO from Pinterest is excellent. I don’t use it enough. Probably need to spend some time focusing on this. I also scrolled through HunterBoyle’s tweets and found this other non #PBEvent share worth sharing: 67 Tools That Will Help You Grow Your Email List http://t.co/a4darpY60p — Hunter Boyle (@hunterboyle) August 27, 2014 She who knows and sees all @lizosaurus Cmdr Lizosaurus shared: The link to @ChrisDucker‘s post: http://t.co/lWo2wVZPQ6 #pbevent — Cmdr Lizosaurus (@lizosaurus) August 29, 2014 Here is the link if you did not quite get it: http://www.chrisducker.com/number-one-podcast/ again I am pretty stoked I got my podcast Cloud Stories listed in the New and Noteworthy section within a few days of launching. It was a huge amount of effort – but feel very gratified. Now I just need to PITCH for SPONSORS… The @brandmeetsblog Louisa Claire shared: Three resources for getting started podcasting #pbevent @patflynn pic.twitter.com/juuyGW6POx — Louisa Claire | BMB (@brandmeetsblog) August 29, 2014 The @thinkeduardo Eduardo Gomes shared : FREE #blog post copywriting template from @katetooncopy http://t.co/BUlPfAAOQO — Eduardo Gomes (@thinkeduardo) May 30, 2014 And who does not like something from the delightful @KateToonCopy The @CarlyFindlay Carly Findlay shared: .@hellomaxabella recommends Hootsuite, buffer, latergram, schedugram, post planner, crowd booster, tweetdeck. #pbevent — Carly Findlay (@carlyfindlay) August 30, 2014 I use Hootsuite and Buffer. I used to use Tweetdeck. This is freakin awesome load of goodness from @randfish Rand Fishkin SEO for Bloggers in 2014: http://t.co/VMBVAZVDvD my presentation from today’s #pbevent — Rand Fishkin (@randfish) August 28, 2014 You really need to read through and cover off every single page of this presentation. CONTENT The @vediehead1 Vegie Head Adele shared Listen to your audiences problems- content creation! #makesomerealdough #pbevent — Vegie Head Adele (@vegiehead1) August 30, 2014 Yes I frequently am posting answers to questions I am asked. I have taken to creating videos, getting them transcribed and then sharing them everywhere. A benefit from this is I am now earning $200 a month from my YouTube channel you can subscribe to here : https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting The @Pod_Legal Karen White shared: Attribution is NOT enough to avoid copyright infringement #pbevent pic.twitter.com/8de9oVRszG — Karan White (@Pod_Legal) August 30, 2014 Yikes!! But don’t you love the cute way she has shared some important legal insights and clearly BRANDED the share. I need to imitate this brilliance. More legal insights from @Veggie_mama Stacey Roberts If you missed it, my downloadable PDF Blogging and The Law Cheat Sheet is available at http://t.co/I3zLtTwgHa #pbevent — Stacey Roberts (@veggie_mama) August 30, 2014 Yes quite smart to have useful information on your website to lead the conference attendees too. PITCHING Yes another good share from @HunterBoyle . I will definitely be using this – thank-you very much. 5 keys for pitching ideas – #3 is critical. – @M_Michalewicz keynote #PBEvent pic.twitter.com/LEqHUVZknm — Hunter Boyle (@hunterboyle) August 29, 2014 Good friend and Hawaiian shirt wearing @BillHarper Bill Harper tweeted : Thought I’d read the first few pages of “Life in half a second” by @M_Michalewicz last night. Ended up reading quite a bit more. #PBEvent — Bill Harper (@BillHarper) August 30, 2014 I just checked an ‘Life in half a second” is an audiobook so will be bookmarking to listen too soon. The @smaggle Carly Jacobs shared: Possibly the most useful info I’ve taken away from #pbevent from @ddgdaily – Kate is a brilliant human. pic.twitter.com/aCKtJzNI8q — Carly Jacobs (@smaggle) August 29, 2014 In the interest of this tweet – make sure you leave a comment worthy of $5 below !! There were 15000 tweets shared during #PBEvent. These were the tweets that resonated with me and where I am at with my blogging journey. I blog about cloud technology and the eco system and community that has evolved from this phenomena – yes a little different to the norm! You might be interested to know my blogging reach has yielded 6 business books, a podcast Cloud Stories, and a thriving consulting and speaking business. I’m an active member of the ProBlogger forum and am very grateful for the ProBlogger community. I hope you found this blog post useful. I would love it if you could subscribe to my Cloud Stories podcast and if you ever need assistance with Xero online accounting solution – drop me a line. Finally I will leave you with my absolute totally love it and wish I thought of it tweet: I love @ShayneT ‘s brain. Just sayin’ #pbevent — SuziDafnis (@SuziDafnis) August 30, 2014 And I would like to if I may leave you with one question: How do you think I should approach Shayne Tilley to be a guest on my Cloud Stories podcast?

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/09/01/problogger-2014/feed/6Xerocon 2014http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/09/01/xerocon-2014/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/09/01/xerocon-2014/#respondMon, 01 Sep 2014 04:59:16 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=5616Xerocon has become a defining moment on my business calendar, a lot of the work I do leads up to the Xerocon celebration. 2012 — I met with Rod Drury CEO of Xero and my publisher Kirsten Hammond from Wiley to agree the concept of Xero for Dummies. 2013 — launch of Xero for Dummies and 3 other books in the series. Xerocon 2014 was huge – it is three full days of learning, talking, networking and trying to absorb everything that’s happening. I attend every day including my favourite day – the developer day. My Xerocon started on the Monday, by plane, train and ferry I journey across to Mosman to visit my elderly Aunty. The weather was unusually horrendous and I was sending lots of positive vibes to the heavens and Fi Massey and conference organisers hoping the weather would dissipate. It worked. It turned out pretty good by the end of the week. It’s essential if you visit Sydney, you take a ferry ride out across the harbour. It’s beautiful, relaxing; it centres you before a busy week. The Young Ones Everyone at Xerocon is so young! When I attend other accounting conferences I look around and I am typically one of the youngest in the room. When I look around the Xerocon conference I am one of the oldest in the room. Xerocon is like comic con for accountants. Young guns are managing teams, growing businesses and bringing to the market robust add-on solutions. It’s impressive, its fast and its here! Young business people don’t have affiliations with solutions, like perhaps my generation do, so I imagine they’ve reviewed and jumped on board with the most visionary tech savvy solution available in the market: Xero. As a trainer it leads me to two questions: how can I help older people feel comfortable learning Xero? In reality, I’ve found if the person is open to change, they pick up and run with Xero quickly. It’s also important the Xero user still undertakes the same basic bookkeeping cross checks, such as reviewing balances on clearing accounts. It’s not magic. My second question is: are the Gen Y’s being taught how to sell back into the Gen X’s. I feel I am being bombarded with how to sell and adapt to the Gen Y’s coming through, but surely the reverse also has to be a real phenomenon? It’s not JUST about implementing a game changing accounting solution. Over and over again, I see the implementation of Xero massively improving the workflows of businesses, and reducing mundane administrative hours. But let’s take a step back. Migrating to Xero gives the business the opportunity to detox their data. This enables users to clear up historical messes that have been clouding their numbers for a long time. This is good. But what Xero also brings to the party is the add-ons. The availability and diversity of add-ons is multiplying rapidly. It has become really clear to me, that when someone asks me to migrate their accounting solution, I need to turn around and ask can we review the current workflow in their business. Understanding their business, and being in an educated position to suggest suitable add-ons – will optimise the outcome for the business. If @Xero is the cake, @CrunchBoards is the frosting! #xerocon pic.twitter.com/CMD3QnNlIF — CrunchBoards (@CrunchBoards) August 21, 2014 From this I think for the cloud integrators, be that all they do, or be they an accountant or a bookkeeper as well; to truly implement Xero efficiently they need to niche. There are too many solutions to be an expert in. Take a look at what Marcus Wilson is doing with http://www.surgicalpartners.com.au/ focusing solely on medical practices – smart. BRAND AWARENESS and working within the community But what puzzled me was how they did not already know about the Cloud Stories when the campaign had been huge. It had been global. It had come from lots of different corners. I think it’s important if you are selling into a community – you stay connected with that community. That does not mean hours on social media – it can simply mean dipping in and out of various mediums, even twice a week. Subscribe to the Xero blog, (or subscribe to my blog) join the Xero LinkedIn Group http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Xero or follow references to Xero on twitter https://twitter.com/search?q=xero&src=typd, subscribe to my podcast Cloud Stories. In this evolving tech world where we rarely see each other face to face it is important to stay connected with the community. Cross promoting, guest blogging, and post commenting is an easy way to get your brand name out there and stay connected with the community. The Xero Community & Selfies galore Yes we had some fun taking selfies. I discovered new technology add-on in the form of a selfie stick. I also spent a lot of time with these lovely ladies… I should also mention there was a Xerocon stall selling my book – Woot Woot!! So Xerocon is over for another year. I have returned to my normal life (and a bout of bronchitis) and realise I missed out on speaking to some of the new add-ons at Xerocon. Also most disappointingly I never managed to get a flashy eWAY ball. I kept heading in the direction, but would get side tracked. I did though return with lots of rugby balls – thank-you RACKSPACE. Thank-you to everyone who contributed to the smooth running of Xerocon – it was a blast!! I am planning to go to the New Zealand Xerocon in early 2015 – so hopefully I will see you there! Let me know what your takeaway from Xerocon was below …

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/09/01/xerocon-2014/feed/0How to un-archive a system account in Xerohttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/08/10/un-archive-system-account-xero/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/08/10/un-archive-system-account-xero/#respondSun, 10 Aug 2014 11:23:53 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=5599Setting the scene: My accountant uses SAGE HandiSoft to process my businesses tax. We mapped all the account codes in the business Xero file to the SAGE Handisoft accounts he uses; I exported my data out of Xero and into his solution. Advisor>Export>Sage HandiLedger I use multi-currency which automatically creates 3 accounts:- 497 Bank Revaluations 498 Unrealised Currency Gains 499 Realised Currency Gains I needed the 499 Realised Currency Gains to be changed to ‘580’ however I was unable to edit the account – because it was archived and a system account. It seems somehow I stupidly managed to archive the three multi-currency accounts, and once they were archived – because they have the system lock associated with them they cannot be edited or un-archived. To resolve this situation I had to go into my demo company and export the chart of accounts into csv format and trim it down so I just had the three multi-currency accounts. I then had to go into my Xero file and export my own business chart of accounts, and add the three multi-currency accounts from the exported demo csv file. Then in my Xero business file when I went to import the updated CSV file, Xero did not like the fact I had a live PayPal account – so I archived the PayPal account – imported my own business chart of accounts with the additional 3 lines – then un-archived the PayPal account. Then I was able to change the account number of the Realised Currency Gains to 580, and my exported chart of accounts smoothly imported into SAGE HandiSoft.

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/08/10/un-archive-system-account-xero/feed/0I’m a bookkeeper. I’m interested in learning Xero. Where can I start?http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/08/02/im-bookkeeper-im-interested-learning-xero-can-start/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/08/02/im-bookkeeper-im-interested-learning-xero-can-start/#respondSat, 02 Aug 2014 03:52:52 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=5581 I’m frequently approached by bookkeepers asking me where they should start learning Xero. My suggestion is to block out a short amount of time, every day in your calendar and work your way through the variety of Xero training opportunities available. When I started out I blocked out 15 minutes every day. Who doesn’t have 15 minutes to spare? Grab a cup of tea, a bickie and invest in yourself! Of course I think it’s a great idea to buy the book I wrote Xero for Dummies. As it is quite sectionalised you can dive in and out of it, and you can grab a copy here: http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/shop/xero-dummies/ or order it at your local book shop. Free Xero Training There are lots of Free Xero training videos you can watch and learn from: Xero produced videos: https://www.xero.com/au/tv/ Xero produced introductory training videos: https://www.xero.com/au/tv/channel/?id=5257-xero-101 Xero produced How To training videos: Here is also a link to the videos I’ve created: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting please subscribe to my video channel if you like them! My next suggestion would be either, take your own business, and convert it in to Xero and run it parallel to your exiting business accounting solution, so you have the opportunity to observe how Xero deals with your own business. Set up a very simple, low transaction services business client. The first client I set up on Xero was a friend of a friend. She wanted to be set up on Xero. I wanted to learn Xero. I offered to set her up and provide all support and training for free, if she would give me the opportunity to set up her Xero file. It worked out really well. I knew bookkeeping, I knew accounting, but I did not know Xero. She knew I did not know Xero so in front of her I was never making a fool of myself, I would just say I’ll go away and figure it out, or I would drill through the solution and intuitively work it out. I’m a huge advocate of hands on training – and real clients ask these left of centre questions you’d never even think of. It was a great opportunity for me. I recall my first session with her probably ran for 2 hours, and now with a brazalian hours experience under my belt, I can set someone up in quarter of the time. Reach out to friends and family who are probably always asking you for free stuff – and see if you can turn it into a self-directed learning opportunity for yourself. Delving a bit deeper If you have a few more questions on Xero, you can also look here; Xero Business Community : https://community.xero.com/business/ On LinkedIn follow this group: http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Xero-1415817?gid=1415817&mostPopular=&trk=tyah&trkInfo=tarId%3A1406949077013%2Ctas%3Axero%2Cidx%3A2-1-4 And this group: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=4548996&trk=anet_ug_hm&goback=%2Egmr_4548996 For a bit of friendly updates Like Xero on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/Xero.Accounting while you are there also maybe Like my page on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/HeatherSmithAU I suggest you sign up to my newsletter to keep you updated – look up on the top right hand side. And when you are looking to take your Xero journey to the next step, ask to join my Xero MasterMind group https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind/ (this is not for advanced users only!!) After looking at all of those different areas you should have a good solid understanding of Xero!

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/08/02/im-bookkeeper-im-interested-learning-xero-can-start/feed/0How to deal with minor underpayments in Xerohttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/07/07/deal-minor-underpayments-xero/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/07/07/deal-minor-underpayments-xero/#commentsMon, 07 Jul 2014 01:08:26 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=5552To watch this video in high definition in YouTube click on the at gear icon in the transport bar and select 720 HD. If you find this video useful please like it, subscribe to my YouTube channel and share it with your friends. Minor underpayments in Xero A minor underpayment is not a partial payment. A minor underpayment is an amount typically not worth chasing, so maybe 1 or 2 cents or 1 or 2 pennies. So in this scenario $99.99 is deposited into the bank. However the actual invoice amount is $100. So the amount deposited is 1cent short. So how do we deal with this? We locate the payment received -> select Find and Match -> select the matching transaction -> select the Adjustments option -> select the reconcile button. Processing a minor underpayments in Xero Here we are in Xero, and we have located the payment received, this is the payment received here, and we are going to come over to the right side and click on Find and Match. And here I have Find and Match and I’m going to select the matching transaction, here is here on the left – so I knew that was the matching transaction. And I’m scrolling down the screen to find this option, here is the Adjustments options, so scroll down to find the Adjustments option, in red says the amount is out by -0.01. Click on the Adjustments option, select Minor adjustment. In the field that now appears I’m going to enter the amount that is highlighted in red – 0.01. And as soon as I do that you can see the green reconciliation shades up and I can select the Reconcile button here, and that amount is reconciled. Let’s take a peek behind the scenes in Xero For those who are interested this is how the account transactions looks; its split into two. On the first of June the reconciliation adjustment of 1 cent against the invoice amount $100 is fully receipt against the invoice amounts but invoice is now fully closed. This is the amount the minor adjustment is allocated to, it’s allocated to branding which is listed as a current liability, it is excluded from tax, and the year today just this adjustment just for this particular one is $0.1. If you found this video useful please like it, subscribe to my YouTube channel and share it with your friends. Connect with me: www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com FaceBook : https://www.facebook.com/HeatherSmithAU LinkedIN : http://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/user/ANISEConsulting

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/07/07/deal-minor-underpayments-xero/feed/2Tips to optimise working with browsers while using Xerohttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/07/07/tips-optimise-working-browsers-using-xero/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/07/07/tips-optimise-working-browsers-using-xero/#commentsSun, 06 Jul 2014 23:00:12 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=5546In this short video I’m going to cover some tips to optimise working with browsers while using Xero. To view this video on high definition on YouTube, click on the gear icon and select 720 P HD. If you find this video useful please like it, subscribe to my YouTube channel and share it with your friends. What is a web browser? So a web browser enables you to access the World Wide Web and there are a number of browsers out there, Firefox Internet Explorer, Safari and Google Chrome. I’m going to do this demonstration on Google Chrome; however you should have the same sort of features in whatever browser you are using. How I quickly log into Xero using LastPass … So what I’m going to go through is I’m going to show you how I access Xero and how I use Last Pass to assist me in this. I’m going to talk about Duplicate Tabs. I’m going to talk about Refreshing your Xero screen, linking back to Xero in an Email, and the Paste and Go option. So the first thing I want to show you is how I access Xero using Last Pass. So here we are at Google homepage, and when I access Xero I type in login.xero.com, press Enter and it comes up with my welcome to Xero screen, and my email and my password are automatically there because this is my work computer and this is from using Last Pass, so this Last Pass up here and enables me to enter up my password securely once I have logged on to it. So I log in to Last Pass every morning and then it lets me automatically log in to Xero, so I click in here log in to log in to Xero. Duplicate So I want now to talk to you about is DUPLICATE. What are we going to do is duplicate tabs. This makes it really easy to navigate using Xero. So here I am in Xero and at the very top here I have a tab. What I do is right click on that tab and choose the option Duplicate, going to do that few times to show you exactly what I mean. So I have Xero open multiple times in my same browser and on this screen I’m looking at the dashboard, on this screen I can go and I can have a look at the bank accounts, on this screen I might go and look at the contacts, and on this screen I might go and look at the reports. So I can quickly click on different Xero screens by duplicating the tabs across the top. Reload Now I want to highlight to you another feature which is RELOAD, which allows you to reload or refresh your screen. Looking at Xero here, the reload or refresh option is this little icon hit, little circle, or I can hold over here and right click and select reload. So why am I trying to use this? I may be looking at a report, so maybe I’m looking at expenses by contact report and I have sitting there Officeworks, I come across to my transactional area and I process a transaction. So this one will process to office works too so say okay and leave recorded that to office works. But when I come back here and look at my expenses, it has included that transaction that I did on the very first tab. So what I need to do is refresh the screen and you can see that the screen refreshed and changed that so reload is important one if you are working with duplicate tabs. How to Email Xero links This is really cool it shows you how to link back in Xero for example in an Email. So I’m going to show you how to give someone information and tell them, “Go and have a look at this in Xero and say exactly where I need you to look.” So here is a typical transaction sitting in Xero and at the very top you have this hyperlink. So what I’m going to do is prove that the hyperlink I will leave directly back to this transaction, I’m going to grab here, I got my word document here, going to grab this, copy, hola my word document. And there I have my hyperlink to get there. I’m going to shut down this page, so you can see this is Officework furniture. I’m going to shut down that page, call-up my document again and click control. And it opened directly to that transaction, see it’s a really handy way to perhaps share some information with people. You do have other option within Xero, but if you want to say, “Hey can you specifically go and look at this.” That’s what I like to do it. Paste and Go option And finally I just like to run you through the Paste and Go options. So what I’m going to do is I’m going to click on this hyperlink here, copy it, and I’m going to come across here and select new tab. So I have a new tab is directed at nothing and rather than go paste, what I’m going to do is paste and go. And so that means it’s kind of like I’ve pasted it and vented it at the same time so it’s going directly to that account for me so that’s excellent. So if you learn something from this video, please share the video with your friends and subscribe to my channel. This video covers tips to Optimise working with browsers while using Xero. This post contains affiliate links. If you found this video useful please like it, subscribe to my YouTube channel and share it with your friends. Connect with me: www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com FaceBook : www.facebook.com/HeatherSmithAU LinkedIN : www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU YouTube : www.youtube.com/user/ANISEConsulting

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/07/07/tips-optimise-working-browsers-using-xero/feed/1Free online video Introduction to Xero Accountinghttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/07/07/free-online-video-introduction-xero-accounting/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/07/07/free-online-video-introduction-xero-accounting/#respondSun, 06 Jul 2014 22:30:42 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=5558Hi! You’ve just clicked to watch a 37 minute introduction to Xero for new user’s video that I created. Now the reason why I created this, I’ve just put a little snippet on the front of this video, is because I realized users viewers were not watching the video correctly. To ensure that you view the video in high definition, on YouTube click on the little gear icon in the bar at the bottom of your channel and select 720p or higher high definition. These videos are shot in high definition and you should see them in crystal clear quality. So change that setting so you have the best viewing pleasure of watching this video. Also please do me a favor if this video is of use to you, like the video please give it thumbs up and share it with your friends and subscribe to my channel. I’ve linked a few Xero videos together here – so you’ll hear me introduce myself a few times over – sorry! Hello Heather Smith here. This is an introduction to Xero an overview for new users who’ve probably never used Xero before just to give you a little bit orientation about what’s going on in Xero. When you log in to Xero, you see a menu bar across the top that Probably looks something similar to this, dashboard, accounts, payroll, reports, advance, contacts, and settings. And depending on what user’s status you have, and depending on what country you set up your Xero file in depends on whether you’ll have access to payroll or whether you’ll have access to adviser options. Hurrah let’s open up Xero and see what you can access Now, if you open up, you go straight to the dashboard. But what the dashboard has on it is a small mini summary of the bank accounts, the sales dashboard, the purchases dashboard and your expense claims area. So you can see if you click on the accounts tab, the drop-down option on the accounts will actually get to access these areas. You also get to access fixed assets giving you a sort of an inbuilt fixed assets register within Xero. Now for the Australian users, you get to access pay run here and you get an overview, click on employees to get the details behind the employees. You can see employee pay runs, if you use them you can access time sheets and if necessary access superannuation. The next option along is reports. Here you can access all reports and the budget manager. If there are particular reports that you favorite, that you use on a regular basis, you can put a stub beside them when you click down through this area and they too can appear on this drop down menu. The next one along you can see there are a lot of different options there. But this is only for someone with financial adviser user access within Xero. So many people may not even get access to this area but you can enter manual journals here, you can see management reporting information here, you can see the Australian user’s activity statements, the past and the income activity statements can be accessed here. Plus you have your financial year end reporting, your reconciliation reports and you have the option to export information from Xero here. Xero Contacts The next one along is contacts which are pretty much everyone can access depending on their user access to contacts. But here you have customers and supply context. In fact within Xero all contacts are set up the same way but you can just group them in particular areas if you need to. You can also setup contacts groups. So maybe you want simply to contact customers live outside your country you can group them into a specific group and they will also be seen in this drop-down options. Xero Settings The next one along is Settings. These are your generals setting for setting up the structure of your Xero. File. So if you’re a manager, management accountant or a business owner, the primary areas that would initially focus on the dashboard and the reports area. And you may access some of the other areas but as a business owner, manager, and manager accountant. Those are the areas that I would be initial focusing on. If you’re the tax accountant I would be focusing on the adviser area which may lead you to look the other areas but that would be my primary focus. If you’re the BAS agent or the bookkeeper working in Xero the areas that you’ll be looking at are the accounts areas, Payroll area, Contacts and Settings area. Now the BAS agent bookkeeper may or may not have access to adviser area, it depends on the level of the work that you’re doing with the business and whether they want you accessing that sort of area. Xero Dashboard Hello, today I’m doing introduction to Xero Dashboard an overview for the new user. This is what Xero dashboard looks like the home dashboard once it’s got some information in there. So the one that you’re looking at in your personal business may not look as busy as this one has. We have on the dashboard a quick overview or mini dashboard of our bank accounts, our credit card accounts, our payment ways such a PayPal. And our right-hand side, our account watchers, Money coming in money going out and our expense claims. So let’s have a look at this. From the left hand side we have bank account let us setup as bank accounts, as credit card accounts, as payment gateways that can have bank feeds activated and feeding into them or bank feeds importing into them. So you can see here that we have the name of the bank account at the top here. We have here the current balance in Xero and the current statement balance feeding in from the bank statements. And here the blue button here is where […]

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/07/07/free-online-video-introduction-xero-accounting/feed/0How do I deal with partial payment in Xerohttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/06/07/deal-partial-payment-xero/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/06/07/deal-partial-payment-xero/#respondFri, 06 Jun 2014 19:49:11 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=5480What has happened in this scenario is $ 2,000 has perhaps been deposited into the bank account. But the actual invoice in is $ 10,000 – I have received a partial payment of $2000. So what I need to do is apply that $ 2,000 to the $10,000 invoice and reduce that invoice into an outstanding amount of $ 8,000. To do this, what I need to do is locate the partial payment, select the find and match option, select the matching transaction and then select the reconcile button. I’m here in Xero in the reconciliation area and on the left-hand side; I’ve received $ 2,000 from Jakaranda Maple Systems. So what I would do is go and have a look at the invoice that I can apply that against. So I come over to the right-hand side here and click on find and match. Now I have the options down here to search by name, reference number or search by amount. Now, it’s pointless in searching by amount because this is a partial payment. But I could type in here, ‘Jakaranda’ if I needed to, and that would come out with one option there. You can see that I have an invoice for $ 10, 000. I come over to the left-hand side and select the invoice and I’m applying the $ 2,000 to the invoice. Across here it says split; and if I click on split, the $2,000 has been applied to the $10,000. And I recognised the split has been applied by clicking the green button. And that has come up here; matching up there has been reconciled. And you’ll notice down here its recognising that $ 8,000 is remaining outstanding against Jakaranda Maple System’s invoice. And I’m going to come up here and click OK to reconcile and then you have it. So this is How you deal with partial payment in Xero…

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/06/07/deal-partial-payment-xero/feed/0Xero video Multiple payments receipted into bank account as a lump sumhttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/05/29/xero-video-multiple-payments-receipted-bank-account-lump-sum/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/05/29/xero-video-multiple-payments-receipted-bank-account-lump-sum/#respondThu, 29 May 2014 10:40:20 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=5465Using Xero online accounting software software How to deal with multiple payments received as a single amount in the bank account Jot down total payments and the breakdown of payments Locate the lump payment Select Find & Match Select the matching transaction Select Reconcile button This video covers how to deal with multiple payments received as a single amount in the bank account. What you may find is you have a lump sum deposited into the bank account – in this example, $1000, and it actually represents payments against several invoices. In this case, three invoices made up of $200 + $300 + $500. You’ve received a single $1000 sum in the bank account and you’re wondering, “How do I allocate it across Xero because these are three individual amounts?” What you need to do is you need to jot down the total payments and the breakdown of payments like I did on the other screen. Understand the $1000 = $200 + $300 + $500 and know what clients they represent. Locate the lump sum, select “Find and Match”, select the matching transaction, and then select the “Reconcile” button. We’re just going to go through and do that. So here I am, looking at my bank account, ready to be reconciled and I have here multiple payments received – 1000 dollars. I found the lump sum has been received into my bank account and I now need to match this against the sales invoices. You’ll notice over here; it’s all clear. What I’m going to do is I’m going click “Find and Match”. Click on “Find and Match”, now I can pull that screen up a bit further and you’ll see here I actually have the customers and $300, $500, and $200. Those were the amounts, if I click on those, those three amounts made up the lump sum and I can come up here now and I can click the “Okay” button or I can scroll further down the screen and click on the “Reconcile” button further down the screen. Now, that is quite an easy scenario. What we could also have done, I’m just going to unselect them here. What we could have done is come over here on the right-hand side and we could have searched for an amount so I’m going to type in $500 and select “Go” and again that’s come up with my $500. I knew that was coming up. Or I could come up here and search by name. I’ll type in “Customer” and actually came up with a “Customer”. If you can’t easily locate it in this list of transactions, type in the reference on the other side and what we have here is we have one lump sum matched against multiple open invoices and I’m going to click the “Okay” button on that and I have reconciled that. That was reconciling multiple payments received as a single amount in a bank account. Heather Smith Xero Expert http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/

]]>http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/05/29/xero-video-multiple-payments-receipted-bank-account-lump-sum/feed/0Dealing with a payment incorrectly deposited into bank accounthttp://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/05/29/deal-payment-incorrectly-deposited-bank-account/
http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2014/05/29/deal-payment-incorrectly-deposited-bank-account/#respondThu, 29 May 2014 07:55:14 +0000http://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/?p=5456Hi! In this session we’re going to cover how to deal with a payment incorrectly deposited into your business bank account. So, what has happened in this scenario is money into the bank account and it was a mistake and the money is simply transferred out to the bank account. What needs to happen is we need a SUSPENSE Account. So what we need to do is when money is deposited into the bank account we record it against a SUSPENSE Account. And then when the money is transferred out to the bank account, we record the payment coming out of the SUSPENSE Account. A SUSPENSE Account is an account in the books of an organisation which items are entered temporarily before the allocation to the correct or final account – definition from Wikipedia. A really simple analogy is you pour the money into a bucket and then you pour the money out of the bucket and it’s going to affect any of our records, any of our profit and loss or our balance sheet which is exactly what we want to do. The process that we’re going to follow is initially we’re going to setup a suspense account as a liability account if we don’t already have it. And then, we’ll allocate the transactions to the suspense account. So the first step as I said is setup the suspense account as a liability account. Here I am in Xero. I clicked on ‘Settings’ on the dashboard and then I’ve clicked on ‘Chart of Accounts’. And then I’ve come here and I’ve clicked on ‘Liabilities’ tab. Under my Liabilities heading, I’m going to scroll down the page and you’ll see I have the SUSPENSE Account here. ‘SUSPENSE account 850’ and I’ll open it up so you can see how it’s setup. Account Type: Current liability Code: a code of your choice Name: SUSPENSE Tax: BAS Excluded It shouldn’t have any tax applied to it no matter what country you reside in. So, tax exclusive for whatever country you are watching this in and then click on ‘save’. The next part, our step 2 is to allocate the transaction to the SUSPENSE account. Here I am looking at the actual bank account. I went ‘Accounts’, ‘Bank Accounts’ to find this or I found it from my ‘dashboard’ and I’m here reconciling my bank accounts, that’s my purpose to come here. So you can see this heading is very easy. Yours isn’t going to be that simple but what’s going to happen here is the incorrect payment was received $1,000 and the incorrect payment was transferred out of the account $1,000. What I’m simply going to do is I’m going to allocate it to cash and I’m going to allocate it to the suspense account here and then ‘cash’ and ‘SUSPENSE account’. Now, notice again no tax on it. It shouldn’t be probably allocated to any categories. I don’t really at this stage for myself need to allocate a description, but if you do want to put in a description there, I’m going to copy this. ‘Incorrect payment transferred out of the account’ and I’m simply going to click the ‘OK’ button to reconcile or play our game our reconciliation snap there. And there you have it, the two amounts have been receipted, coded and allocated out of the account. So in this session I explained how to deal with the payment incorrectly deposited into a business bank account and resolved that problem by using a SUSPENSE account. My name is Heather Smith. Thank you for watching.